US holiday-maker goes on trial for fatal accident in Inverness

An American woman has gone on trial before a jury at Inverness for causing the death of a 57-year-old Ross-shire motorcyclist in Inverness last summer.

Barbara Ardell, (63), from Dunwoody in Georgia has pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Paul Todd by driving carelessly on July of last year.

Mr Todd’s motor cycle was involved in a collision with a Skoda being driven by Ardell.

It’s alleged she drove carelessly on Culcabock Road/Damfield Road on July 18 at the Kingsmills junction causing the death of Mr Todd from Alcaig near Conon Bridge by carrying out a right-hand turn in the face of the oncoming motor cycle and colliding with it. Mr Todd was seriously injured and later died.

The trial could last up to four day and earlier today the jury heard evidence from the first witness, 31-year-old Paul Fraser from Aberdeen.

Mr Fraser in evidence told the jury he was on holiday with his family when he was approaching the light controlled junction westbound on Culcabock Road and Ardell’s car was stationary ahead of him in a filter lane about to turn right.

Mr Fraser said it was his intention to continue straight on but he saw the Skoda turning right and he saw the motor cycle coming through the lights in the opposite direction.

"I just saw the Skoda turn right and the motor cycle going into the side of the car."

Asked by depute fiscal Roderick Urquhart if he could give any indication of the speed of the motor cycle, he said he could not.

Mr Fraser, who works as a manager with a tyre group in the motor industry, said he was in the inside lane and he would have seen the approaching motor cycle first before seeing the car moving off.

"I saw him (Mr Todd) coming off the bike when it hit the car, the bike was still continuing along the road."

The jury then heard how Mr Fraser used his car to form a barrier to stop the traffic to ensure the safety of those caught up in the accident.

He said he went over to the biker first and did not see the driver of the Skoda, then he remained at the scene until police arrived.

He removed his vehicle when the police came and parked in the car park of the nearby Kingsmills Hotel.

Asked by the fiscal what speed he was doing as he approached the junction, Mr Fraser said he was driving at about 20mph in a 30mph limit.

Cross-examined by advocate Mark Moir for Ardell he was asked if it gave him quite a shock.

"Yes it’s not a pleasant thing to see," he replied.

Mr Fraser said his children were in his car but he did not think they saw what had happened. So he turned his car to prevent others coming through.

Previous trial diets had to be cancelled because Ardell was receiving treatment for a chronic illness.

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