Driver who lost consciousness at Carrbridge doesn't know why
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Medical experts couldn't explain why a motorist lost consciousness at the wheel of his car and drove head-on into the path of a Mitsubishi outlander on the opposite carriageway.
The collision happened on October 3, 2018 and since then, 37 year old Stephen Hughes of Stewart Avenue, Blantyre has sought an answer to why it occurred, leaving another driver disabled.
His lawyer, Stephen McQuillan told Inverness Sheriff Court: "He surrendered his driving licence because he couldn't get an answer to what happened to him that day. He had not lost consciousness previously at any time.
"We have never got to the bottom of this."
Fiscal depute Robert Weir informed Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald that the reason it took so long to come to court was because of medical examinations carried out by the defence.
"If they had been successful, the Crown would have taken a different view."
Mr Weir went on: "A witness noticed him slumped forward at the wheel as if he was asleep."
He added that the accident happened at the A939 junction for Carrbridge on the A9 and Hughes' Fiat 500 veered onto the opposite carriageway as if to take the junction but there were no brake lights applied.
"The other driver suffered a pinched nerve in his spine and can now only walk with crutches. He has been declared disabled, only works two days a week and requires a mobility car."
Hughes admitted causing serious injury by driving dangerously. Sentence was deferred until January 15 for a background report.
He was disqualified from driving in the interim.
