A gas tanker driver who blamed a violent sneeze for a crash which killed a nurse and left her mum permanently impaired was has been jailed for four years.
Shane Fraser, 44, denied causing death by dangerous driving on the A9 Inverness to Thurso road in December 2007.
But a jury at the High Court in Inverness found him guilty of being responsible for the death of cancer nurse Melainey Rose, 36, and leaving her mother Catherine MacDonald or Rose, 62, with serious injuries.
Fraser said he was jerked out of his seat by the sneeze and heard such a loud crash he thought his vehicle had blown up.
The court heard the lorry veered onto the opposing carriageway and smashed into another car leaving both occupants injured.
Ms Rose, of Cradlehall, Inverness, had been taking her mother back to her home in Sutherland when Fraser's lorry smashed into her green Mini at Coulnagower on December 28, 2007.
Today at the High Court in Edinburgh Lord Menzies told Fraser he could have faced up to 14 years in prison.
The judge said: "This case like all such cases involving the causing of death by dangerous driving is a tragedy.
"First and foremost it is a tragedy for the family of Melainey Rose whose life was cut short when she was aged only 36.
"It has also had a very serious impact on the life of Catherine Rose who was seriously injured as a result of the collision between the lorry you were driving and the car she was in.
"She received treatment as an inpatient for at least five months."
Lord Menzies added that the smash was also a tragedy for Fraser because he had to live with the death of a young woman on his conscience for the rest of his life.
The court heard that before the crash first offender Fraser had an exemplary driving record and had instructed students on the use of heavy vehicles.
But he said Fraser had allowed the lorry he was driving to drift across the carriageway into the path of oncoming vehicles and there was nothing the drivers could have done to avoid being hit.
Defence advocate Shahid Latif said Fraser was remorseful for his actions.
He said: "He asks me to apologise to the family of those who have been impacted by what occurred that day either directly or indirectly."
Fraser, from Inverness, was also banned from driving for five years and must sit an extended test before he can drive again.
