Man charged after crash that left young footballer fighting for life

Dean Watson was struck outside Ecclefechan on October 22

Dean Watson had to be transferred to Glasgow's QEU hospital
Author: Lindsay HerronPublished 15th Dec 2023

A man has been charged after a young footballer was left fighting for his life after being hit by a pick-up truck.

Dalbeattie Star player Dean Watson was walking on the B7076 near to the village of Ecclefechan at around 1.30am on October 22 when he was struck by a black Mitsubishi L200.

Emergency services administered treatment at the scene before rushing him to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary in a critical condition.

The 24-year old was then transferred to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Medical staff had then described his condition as “critical but stable”.

Police confirmed on Friday that a 31-year-old man has now been charged with road traffic offences.

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.