Man on trial over teenager's road death in East Kilbride

A motorist is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow accused of causing the death of a 15-year-old schoolgirl by dangerous driving.

Kieran Kennedy, 20, of Burn Road, Chapelton, South Lanarkshire, denies driving at excessive speed for the road conditions, accelerated and failed to brake for an amber light at a pedestrian crossing and then failed to stop for the red light, hitting Megan Scott who was on the crossing.

The incident took place at the A749 Kingsway, East Kilbride, on October 18, 2017.

Constable Helen Howie told the court that she and a colleague received a call to a road traffic accident at the Kingsway and when they got there realised it was a very serious incident.

Constable Howie said: “I made my way to the crowd of people. There was a pedestrian lying on the carriageway – it was a female. I wanted to find the driver.”

The police officer said that Kennedy approached her and said: “I was the driver.”

She added: “He said he had struck the female, but he hadn't been speeding.”

Prosecutor Chris McKenna said: “Did you look at his vehicle,” and she replied: “There was damage to the vehicle and the windscreen was damaged.”

Constable Howie said when she spoke to Kennedy he was 'really upset' and added “He kept asking if he had killed her. He was upset.”

The court was told that Kennedy took a roadside breath test which was negative.

Defence QC John Scullion said: “Kieran Kennedy approached you at the scene and told you he had been driving the car and had struck the female who was injured,” and constable Howie replied: “Yes.”

The QC then asked: “Did he tell you he hadn't seen the female,” and she said: “I can't recall that.”

However, she agreed that she had written this in her operational notes which was written up at the time.

Mr Scullion said: “How would you describe Mr Kennedy's condition at the time,” and the witness said: “He was distraught, shaking and crying.”

The jury was told that Kennedy, who was not physically injured, was checked both by paramedics and at hospital. Constable Howie said: “I thought he was suffering from shock.”

The trial before judge Lord Armstrong continues.

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