Death crash: Killer driver Andrzej Stankiewicz and victim Konstantinos Tourlas
A drink driver was three times the legal limit when he hit a cyclist fatally throwing him through the windscreen of his vehicle and onto a passenger, a court heard on Wednesday.
Senior software consultant Konstantinos Tourlas died after suffering a broken neck when speeding motorist Andrzej Stankiewicz struck him head on after crossing onto the wrong side of the road.
Polish national Stankiewicz, 42, pleaded guilty to causing the death of the keen cyclist on June 12 this year by driving without due care and attention and when unfit through drink, when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh.
The motorist admitted driving at excessive speed, swerving about the road, failing to negotiate a bend and crossing onto the opposite carriageway into the path of Dr Tourlas, 38, who was out on a weekend cycle ride with his girlfriend Kathleen Ralston, 41.
Advocate depute Alex Prentice QC told the court that the couple had cycled through Kirkliston, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, and were heading on the B9080 road towards Winchburgh, in West Lothian, on the sunny summer day when the fatal incident occurred.
Miss Ralston was travelling about 10 to 15 metres behind Dr Tourlas as they left a roundabout on the outskirts of Kirkliston.
Warning
Mr Prentice said: "Miss Ralston suddenly became aware of the accused's eastbound vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed, apparently out of control and weaving on both sides of the carriageway. She tried to call out a warning to the deceased who did not appear to hear."
The prosecutor said: "The car crossed over to the westbound carriageway and struck the deceased head on before coming to a halt on the grass verge. As a result of the collision the deceased struck the windscreen causing it to shatter and he landed on the passenger, Vernor Hartos."
A witness cutting grass nearby heard the sound of the collision and a woman screaming and saw Miss Ralston running towards the car. He also ran to the scene and saw the shattered windscreen with a leg sticking out and the passenger still in the vehicle covered in blood.
Mr Prentice said Dr Tourlas, of South Fort Street, Edinburgh, suffered a severe neck injury and doctors who later examined him concluded he would have died very quickly and no amount of medical aid would have saved him.
Car passenger Mr Hartos needed five stitches put in a head wound but his friend Stankiewicz was uninjured following the collision.
Horrified
Stankiewicz, of Winchburgh, was breath tested and gave an alcohol reading of 104 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.
The Greek-born victim had lived in this country for about 20 years after arriving as a student and going on to undertake PhD studies at Edinburgh University.
Stankiewicz said he had been driving for 25 years and held a Polish licence, but it was later found that it had expired and insurers said they would not cover the use of the car.
Defence solicitor advocate Robbie Burnett said he had been asked by Stankiewicz "to express his sincere and unreserved regret to Miss Ralston and the family of the deceased".
He said: "He was and continues to be shocked and horrified at what he has done and the tragic consequences that resulted. He has told me he was brought up an honourable man in an honourable family."
The judge, Lord Bannatyne, deferred sentence on Stankiewicz for the preparation of background report. He was remanded in custody and faces imprisonment for the offence which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years.
