Driving Ban For Motorist Who Fell Asleep On A92 Causing Fatal Crash

A motorist who fell asleep at the wheel seconds before a tragic fatal crash in Fife has been spared a jail sentence.

Published 25th Feb 2015

A motorist who fell asleep at the wheel seconds before a tragic fatal crash in Fife has been spared a jail sentence. A judge told Adam Docherty: "It is probably not going too far to say your life has been shattered by the physical and psychological injuries which you have had to endure since the accident." Lord Uist said that in his opinion he had already been punished by what he had had to suffer. 28-year-old Docherty from Kennoway hadn't had a proper rest for 24 hours before dozing off on the A92 near Freuchie and colliding with another car in August 2010. The accident claimed the life of George Izatt, 54 of Methil (pictured above). Docherty, who pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, received a three year driving ban. The judge said: "Although you are clearly incapable of driving I am obliged to disqualify you from driving and I shall therefore do so for a period of three years." Docherty was "seriously sleep deprived" when his car crossed to the opposite side of the road and collided with another vehicle killing its driver George Izatt. He was holding down two jobs and also helping with Army cadets at the time of the incident on August 22 in 2010. Advocate depute Andrew Brown QC told the court that Docherty was "a hardworking and positive member of society". But he added: "Regrettably his work ethic played a part in the present offence." Docherty, who appeared in court with crutches, was badly injured and his passenger and cousin, Patrick Docherty, was also hurt. A previous attempt to run legal proceedings in the case was halted when Docherty repeatedly fell asleep in the dock. It was established that this was because of pain-killing medication he was prescribed.