Nurse admits causing death of cyclist by careless driving
A nurse has admitted killing a cyclist who she smashed into head on as she tried to overtake a lorry.
A nurse has admitted killing a cyclist who she smashed into head on as she tried to overtake a lorry.
Jessica Hedley tried to save David Christie by giving him first aid at the side of the road following the horror collision on the A92 near Freuchie, Fife.
Hedley had been trying to overtake a truck around 4.30am on February 21 last year when she hit Mr Christie, who was travelling home to Ladybank after going to an all-night garage in Freuchie.
A trial at Dundee Sheriff Court heard the 49-year-old was riding a bike equipped with a light and was wearing a high-visibilty yellow tabard when the crash occurred.
Hedley had initially denied causing Mr Christie's death by careless driving - but pled guilty at the close of the Crown case on the second day of her trial.
However, a sheriff told Hedley she would NOT face jail over the death.
Crash investigators found he had been just two feet from the kerb on the correct side of the road at the point of impact - with Hedley's Vauxhall Corsa fully in the opposing carriageway.
A jury heard that when paramedics arrived shortly after the smash they found Hedley giving Mr Christie first aid.
He was then rushed to Victoria Infirmary in Kirkcaldy where he was found to have multiple fractures throughout his body as well as "substantial" bleeding on the brain.
Mr Christie's condition never improved and he died five days later.
When cops arrived Hedley admitted she had been behind the wheel and said: "I was driving along and I went to overtake, I think it was a lorry.
"I pulled out and the cyclist had one of those flashing lights.
"I saw it too late and I hit him."
Martin Green, 31, a close family friend of Mr Christie, was the last person to see him before he went out on his bike to make the two mile trip to the garage.
He described Mr Christie as a "keen cyclist" and said he regularly used the road to cycle to work.
Mr Green said: "I had been with him all day and night. We had been drinking on and off.
"He got changed and went to cycle to Freuchie to get cigarattes.
"I expected him to be back in about 40 minutes but I got concerned when he didn't come back and phoned the police."
James Farmer, 62, who served Mr Chrstie at the Freuchie garage minutes before the smash, said: "He appeared to be an ordinary customer."
Fiscal depute Susan Ruta asked: "Did you have cocern about him, did he appear to be drunk to you?"
He replied: "No."
Hedley, 25, of Craigard Road, Dundee, initially pleaded not guilty on indictment to a charge of causing death by careless driving.
But today she admitted driving her Vauxhall Corsa without due care or attention and overtaking a lorry when it was unsafe to do so.
She failed to observe Mr Christie riding his bike on the opposing carriageway, causing the car and bike to collide whereby Mr Christie was so severely injured that he later died.
Defence solicitor Ross Donnelly said: "She has not driven since this incident.
"She would extend her sympathies to the family of Mr Christie."
Sheriff Alastair Brown deferred sentence until next month for social work reports and released Hedley on bail meantime.
He said: "This is a case which should be dealt with by a community order, probably an order for unpaid work.
"This case has involved bad judgement and falling short of the standard required, mitigated by the accused's previous good character and the fact she stopped, phoned for help and did all that she could by way of first aid."
Hedley was disqualified from driving ahead of sentencing in September.