Death by careless driving trial: Dashcam footage shows moment pensioner hit by Toyota in Newcastleton
Last updated 6th Mar 2024
Footage has been played in court of the horrific moment an elderly woman was knocked down by a car while crossing the road in Newcastleton.
Sandra Inglis, who was 73, died in hospital two days after the collision, in the village’s North Hermitage Street, on September 21st, 2021.
David Johnston, from Hawick, is standing trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court charged with causing the pensioner’s death by careless driving - a charge the 49-year-old denies.
The prosecution case presented evidence from a forensic collision investigator that claimed to show Mr Johnston didn’t start braking until after his Toyota struck Mrs Inglis.
Their argument is that had he been paying "proper attention" he could have stopped sooner.
The court heard Mr Johnston - who captured the moment of impact on his dashcam - was estimated to have been travelling north, through Newcastleton, at just over the 20mph speed limit.
His defence team will be given an opportunity to cross examine police officer Niall Collin when the trial resumes tomorrow (Wednesday).
David Nicolson, defending, had earlier commended local GP Jennifer Bowley for rushing to Mrs Inglis' aid, from the nearby surgery, and comforting her until an ambulance arrived from Langholm to take her to a waiting helicopter.
She was concerned the pensioner had suffered a potentially fatal skull fracture and also applied a tourniquet on her leg.
Mrs Bowley had been alerted by retired GP Moira Blair, who was among the first on the scene - and both revealed they knew her.
Mrs Blair reported hearing a "bang" and the "screech" of a car's brakes. But, when Susan Campbell, prosecuting, asked: "Are you clear in which order?" She replied: "No?"
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Another eyewitness said Mrs Inglis - who could be seen pausing on the road to look for oncoming traffic - had previously complained of her eyesight being "a wee bit fuzzy".
She had followed the car which collided with her for around six miles beforehand and said she had no concerns over the manner of its driving.
The court heard a number of warning lights were found on the vehicle's dashboard when it was examined by road policing officers following the incident.
According to PC Collin, the Toyota's tyres were also "slightly under-inflated" .
But Mr Johnston's defence team say there's no evidence they contributed to the collision.
The trial, before Sheriff Peter Paterson, continues...
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