Lorry driver jailed after being on video call moments before horror crash that killed woman
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A LORRY driver who caused a fatal crash while on a video call behind the wheel has been jailed.
Blair Jardine, 31, caused the horrific collision that claimed the life of a pensioner on the A70 at Ochiltree in East Ayrshire on June 4 2024.
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Jardine pled guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh
Credit: PA:Press Association
The lorry driver was speeding and not paying attention to the road when he didn't notice stationary traffic in front of him.
Jardine slammed on his brakes after noticing the stopped vehicles in front of him but it was too late to avoid tragedy.
Unable to avoid hitting the car in front of him, he swerved his HGV lorry into the opposite lane and collided head-on with an MG motor.
Both occupants of the car, Lyndsay Thomson, 59, and her elderly aunt Sarah Wood, 88, were seriously injured.
Firefighters had to cut both women out of the damaged motor and paramedics rushed them to hospital.
Tragically, Sarah died from her injuries six days later on June 10 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow.
Jardine pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC told the court: 'Ahead of him was a white van which had stopped and was signalling to turn right into a depot. There was a stationary car behind the van.
'Blair Jardine was on a hands-free video call with another person, and he did not pay attention to the road ahead.
'Consequently, he failed to react to the presence of the stationary vehicle, braked sharply, causing the wheels to lock and he was unable to stop in time to avoid a collision with the stationery west bound traffic so he swerved into the opposing carriageway causing a head on collision with Lyndsay Thomson's motor vehicle.
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'Lyndsay Thomson and Sarah Wood were both severely injured. Sarah later died because of the injuries she sustained.'
The advocate depute that doctors treating Sarah found she had 'extensive injury' including fractures to her nose, a rib, a lumbar vertebra and both hands.
The court heard that on June 5 2024, Sarah had surgery and suffered a stroke after she came out of the theatre.
Mr Prentice said that on June 7 2024 she was transferred to the major trauma unit at the hospital but continued to 'deteriorate rapidly' - she later died at 7.15pm on June 10 2024.
Meanwhile, Lyndsay, who was aged 59 at the time of the collision, suffered a head injury, rib, knee, leg and wrist fractures and a broken hip.
Jardine was caged for four years and eight months yesterday at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Police Scotland Sergeant Gordon Stewart said: 'This was a completely avoidable crash that had devastating consequences for the family and loved ones of both women.
"Jardine's actions showed a clear disregard for the safety of others on the road.
'We hope this outcome brings some degree of closure to the families of those involved and serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility every road user to drive in safe manner.'
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