Truck driver killed man, 84, as he crossed road
A truck driver who had taken cocaine killed an 84-year-old pedestrian as he crossed the road, a court has heard.
Edward Feelie, 54, failed to stop at a red light while driving his flatbed Isuzu and went on to hit Robert Shirra-Gibb in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire.
Mr Shirra-Gibb never recovered from the collision which occurred just days before Christmas in 2023.
Feelie pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving at the High Court in Glasgow.
The 54-year-old was found to have six times the "specified limit" of cocaine in his bloodstream.
The court also heard Feelie, of Blantyre, already had two road traffic convictions.
He was remanded in custody pending sentencing next month.
The incident occurred on the town's Glasgow Road at about 18:00 on 19 December 2023.
Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel said Mr Shirra-Gibb made it across the eastbound carriageway but was struck by Feelie's truck when he entered the westbound carriageway.
She added: "He appeared to fail to slow or react to a red light as well as the presence of Mr Shirra-Gibb upon crossing."
The court heard the victim suffered "catastrophic" pelvic, chest and back injuries.
He also had a bleed on the brain and died the next day.
Dashcam video footage of the incident was played in the courtroom.
Ms Dalziel said Feelie - who had been working as a traffic management operative - immediately got out of his vehicle and appeared "shocked and agitated".
However, he initially seemed unaware of a stricken Mr Shirra-Gibb being helped by others.
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".
A blood sample was taken from Feelie at a police station after the incident and it was found to contain 67mg of cocaine per litre of blood. The specified limit is 10mg.
Marco Guarino, defending, said Feelie recognised the impact on Mr Shirra-Gibb's family and had been "very severely affected" by the incident.
The judge, Lord Arthurson, remanded him in custody and adjourned sentencing until next month in Edinburgh.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
5 hours ago
Malaysian leader Anwar wins a reprieve in a lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday won a reprieve in a civil suit accusing him of sexual misconduct, after a court approved his bid to temporarily suspend the trial due to start next week. The suit was filed in 2021 by his former research assistant, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther. Yusoff, 32, alleged that Anwar sexually harassed him in 2018 — before Anwar became premier, in November 2022. Anwar, 77, denies any wrongdoing and accuses Yusoff of fabricating the charge to ruin his political career. The case gained attention after Anwar sought immunity from prosecution, sparking criticism from the opposition and others. The High Court dismissed his application last week, saying everyone is equal before the law. Anwar has turned to the nation's top court, which will hear his case on July 21. The Court of Appeal on Tuesday approved Anwar's bid for a temporary stay to the trial that was due to start June 16, pending next month's hearing in the Federal Court. Anwar wants the Federal Court to rule on several legal questions including whether a sitting prime minister has immunity from lawsuits stemming from alleged private events before his appointment. His lawyers claimed the legal action could impair his ability to govern and risk destabilizing the government. The case could undermine Anwar, who heads a unity government comprised of rival factions. He has denied seeking personal immunity or trying to escape legal scrutiny. 'It concerns the integrity of our constitutional system and the need to ensure that high public office is protected from litigation that may be strategically timed, politically motivated or institutionally disruptive,' he wrote on Facebook last week. Anwar, a former reformist opposition leader, was previously jailed twice for sodomy. He has said the charges against him were manufactured by the government to thwart his opposition party. Anwar was pardoned by the king in 2018, just months before the alleged sexual assault on Yusoff. Yusoff is currently in detention and on trial after police found drugs and fake pistols in his car last September. He has said he was framed by those in power. The court will decide this Thursday whether he needs to enter his defense, or acquit him.
Hamilton Spectator
6 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Malaysian leader Anwar wins a reprieve in a lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday won a reprieve in a civil suit accusing him of sexual misconduct, after a court approved his bid to temporarily suspend the trial due to start next week. The suit was filed in 2021 by his former research assistant, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther. Yusoff, 32, alleged that Anwar sexually harassed him in 2018 — before Anwar became premier, in November 2022. Anwar, 77, denies any wrongdoing and accuses Yusoff of fabricating the charge to ruin his political career. The case gained attention after Anwar sought immunity from prosecution, sparking criticism from the opposition and others. The High Court dismissed his application last week, saying everyone is equal before the law. Anwar has turned to the nation's top court, which will hear his case on July 21. The Court of Appeal on Tuesday approved Anwar's bid for a temporary stay to the trial that was due to start June 16, pending next month's hearing in the Federal Court. Anwar wants the Federal Court to rule on several legal questions including whether a sitting prime minister has immunity from lawsuits stemming from alleged private events before his appointment. His lawyers claimed the legal action could impair his ability to govern and risk destabilizing the government. The case could undermine Anwar, who heads a unity government comprised of rival factions. He has denied seeking personal immunity or trying to escape legal scrutiny. 'It concerns the integrity of our constitutional system and the need to ensure that high public office is protected from litigation that may be strategically timed, politically motivated or institutionally disruptive,' he wrote on Facebook last week. Anwar, a former reformist opposition leader, was previously jailed twice for sodomy. He has said the charges against him were manufactured by the government to thwart his opposition party. Anwar was pardoned by the king in 2018, just months before the alleged sexual assault on Yusoff. Yusoff is currently in detention and on trial after police found drugs and fake pistols in his car last September. He has said he was framed by those in power. The court will decide this Thursday whether he needs to enter his defense, or acquit him. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
San Francisco Chronicle
6 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Malaysian leader Anwar wins a reprieve in a lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday won a reprieve in a civil suit accusing him of sexual misconduct, after a court approved his bid to temporarily suspend the trial due to start next week. The suit was filed in 2021 by his former research assistant, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther. Yusoff, 32, alleged that Anwar sexually harassed him in 2018 — before Anwar became premier, in November 2022. Anwar, 77, denies any wrongdoing and accuses Yusoff of fabricating the charge to ruin his political career. The case gained attention after Anwar sought immunity from prosecution, sparking criticism from the opposition and others. The High Court dismissed his application last week, saying everyone is equal before the law. Anwar has turned to the nation's top court, which will hear his case on July 21. The Court of Appeal on Tuesday approved Anwar's bid for a temporary stay to the trial that was due to start June 16, pending next month's hearing in the Federal Court. Anwar wants the Federal Court to rule on several legal questions including whether a sitting prime minister has immunity from lawsuits stemming from alleged private events before his appointment. His lawyers claimed the legal action could impair his ability to govern and risk destabilizing the government. The case could undermine Anwar, who heads a unity government comprised of rival factions. He has denied seeking personal immunity or trying to escape legal scrutiny. 'It concerns the integrity of our constitutional system and the need to ensure that high public office is protected from litigation that may be strategically timed, politically motivated or institutionally disruptive,' he wrote on Facebook last week. Anwar, a former reformist opposition leader, was previously jailed twice for sodomy. He has said the charges against him were manufactured by the government to thwart his opposition party. Anwar was pardoned by the king in 2018, just months before the alleged sexual assault on Yusoff. Yusoff is currently in detention and on trial after police found drugs and fake pistols in his car last September. He has said he was framed by those in power. The court will decide this Thursday whether he needs to enter his defense, or acquit him.
