Lorry driver high on cocaine killed Scots pensioner as he crossed road
Edward Feelie failed to stop at a red light and went on to hit Robert Shirra-Gibb, who had to be freed from under the Isuzu flatbed truck in Blantyre.
A lorry driver who had taken cocaine killed a pensioner as he crossed the road. Edward Feelie failed to stop at a red light and went on to hit Robert Shirra-Gibb in Blantyre, Lanarkshire.
The 84 year-old - who had to be freed from under the Isuzu flatbed truck - sadly never recovered from the collision days before Christmas 2023. Feelie was later found to have six times the "specified limit" of cocaine in his bloodstream.
The 54 year-old today appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow. He pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
It emerged Feelie, also of Blantyre, already had two road traffic convictions. He was remanded in custody pending sentencing next month.
The incident occurred around 6pm on December 19 2023. Another motorist that evening had spotted Mr Shirra-Gibb crossing the town's Glasgow Road.
Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel then explained: "Mr Shirra-Gibb made it across the eastbound carriageway. However, on entering the westbound, he was struck by Feelie's vehicle. He appeared to fail to slow or react to a red light as well as the presence of Mr Shirra-Gibb upon crossing."
The dad-of-two was propelled forward before being trapped under the lorry. Dashcam footage of the incident was played at the hearing today. Grieving relatives of Mr Shirra-Gibb left the courtroom while it was shown.
Miss Dalziel said Feelie - who had been working as a traffic management operative - immediately got out appearing "shocked and agitated". However, he initially seemed unaware of a stricken Mr Shirra-Gibb being helped by others.
Mercy crews arrived and the OAP, of Coatshill, Lanarkshire, was rushed to hospital. The court heard he had suffered "catastrophic" pelvic, chest and back injuries.
He also had a bleed on the brain and passed away the next day. Crash investigators found the red traffic signal that night had been showing for 11 seconds before the collision.
Mr Shirra-Gibb had been on the road for around seven seconds. Miss Dalziel said Feelie's lorry "did not deviate until the moment of impact".
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A blood sample was taken from Feelie at a police station after the incident. It was found to contain 67mg of cocaine per litre of blood. The specified limit is 10mg.
Marco Guarino, defending, today said Feelie recognised the impact on Mr Shirra-Gibb's family, but that he was also "very severely affected" by what happened.
The solicitor-advocate had asked for Feelie's bail to be continued. But, judge Lord Arthurson remanded him in custody and adjourned sentencing until May 27 in Edinburgh.
Feelie blew a kiss to members of his family as he was led handcuffed to the cells. One man shouted back: "Keep the head up".
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