Man jailed after killing motorist changing his tyre
The accident happened on the M74 near Lanarkshire in November 2014
A delivery driver who killed another motorist out changing his tyre has been jailed for 28 months.
Nicholas Williams hit William Johnston as he tried fixed his car on the hard shoulder of the M74 near Larkhall, South Lanarkshire.
A judge heard today how the 60 year-old “cannot explain” how the tragedy occurred.
Williams had been working for 11 hours at the time of the accident in November 2014.
He returned to the High Court in Glasgow having earlier pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
William Johnston, 60, of Biggar, South Lanarkshire, died after being thrown almost 200 feet through the air.
Judge Johanna Johnston QC today said “only a custodial sentence” could be passed.
She added: “You bear the responsibility for the death of a man who was much loved by his family and friends.
“Mr Johnston died due to your dangerous driving.”
Williams initially travelled to Milton Keynes before making a pick up in Chorley, Lancashire.
He was the making a near 200-mile journey to Glasgow when tragedy struck.
Mr Johnston – a council bus driver - was on the M74 around 6am on his way to work.
But, a problem arose with a tyre of his Fiat Punto and he pulled onto the hard shoulder.
He put on his hazard lights before beginning to remove the wheel of his car.
Williams was heading north, and a GPS tracker in his van noted him going at a speed of 85mph shortly before the crash.
Prosecutor Jane Farquharson said another driver then spotted him “drifting” from his lane onto the hard shoulder.
Williams' van soon ploughed into the Fiat Punto before hitting Mr Johnston.
He was launched 170 feet into the air then crashing to the ground.