Scientist admits blame for car crash fatality

Posted: August 9, 2014

Posted in: Car Accidents Road Traffic Accidents Wrongful & Accidental Death 

Leading scientist, Nathan Bailey, has admitted to causing a car crash that led to the death of an elderly man. The accident happened on the 28^th of April last year on the M9 near Stirling. 34-year-old St Andrews University academic Nathan Bailey had been approaching junction 10 southbound on the M9 when he lost control of his car and crashed into a car being driven by 83-year-old Ronald Highcock. Sadly, Mr Highcock died in hospital a few weeks after the accident.

Mr Bailey will be sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving next month. He explained that his Renault Clio clipped the side of Mr Highcock’s Citroën Saxo, pushing both of the cars down a steep embankment. Mr Highcock and his wife had been returning to Preswick after celebrating their anniversary at the Dunblane Hydro. Their car collided with a tree, which meant they had to be cut out of their vehicle by fire crews.

Post traumatic stress

Mr Highcock gave the police a statement before his death. He died as a result of chest injuries and a secondary cause of heart disease on the 20^th of May. The statement said:

“We were travelling slowly, about 40-45 miles per hour, then I felt I was being forced by something in the overtaking lane … I felt I was going sideways and went down the embankment and hit a tree and a fence.”

Mr Bailey has been suffering with post-traumatic stress since the accident and is absolutely “devastated” by what happened. He is due to be sentenced on the 16^th of September after reports have been submitted.

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