Driver jailed after killing pedestrian on Edinburgh road and fleeing scene

A speeding driver who failed to stop after he killed a pedestrian following a collision in the early hours of the morning has been jailed.

University student Ralph Fairhurst was driving at more than twice the speed limit when he struck Kyle Middlemas as he crossed a road in Edinburgh.

Mr Middlemas, 20, died in hospital ten days after sustaining serious head and chest injuries in the fatal collision on Easter Road on June 19, 2022.

Advocate depute Chris McKenna told the High Court in Edinburgh that Fairhurst, 26, was driving at excessive speed prior to the crash.

He said: “His car struck Kyle Middlemass as he was crossing the road, resulting in a bang. The impact caused Kyle Middlemass to be thrown ten to 20 metres into the air before he landed on the pavement at the junction with St Clair Street.

“The accused did not stop following the collision nor did he slow down. He did not activate his brakes before or after the collision,” said the prosecutor.

Fairhurst, of Thorntreeside, Edinburgh, who had three points on his licence for speeding at the time of the fatal crash, admitted causing the death of the victim by driving dangerously by travelling at excessive speed and failing to maintain proper observations of the road ahead, when he appeared in court today.

He also admitted failing to stop after the collision.

The court heard that the stretch of Easter Road where the fatality occurred is subject to a 20mph speed limit.

Collision investigators said that Fairhurst’s Vauxhall Astra was travelling at more than 46mph prior to the crash and accelerating.

A judge told Fairhurst, who was on bail: “A custodial sentence is inevitable given the gravity of the offence.”

Lord Young remanded him in prison while a background report is prepared on him ahead of sentencing next month.

Defence counsel Mark Stewart KC said he was instructed to tender “the deepest and most sincere sympathies of the accused to the family and friends of the deceased”.

He said Fairhurst was awaiting the results of university exams and expected that he would have normally graduated later this autumn.

The defence counsel said Fairhurst “simply did not see the deceased” but was aware that he had collided with something. “At that time, it was thought it was perhaps street furniture. He ought to have stopped,” he said.

Mr McKenna said that Mr Middlemass had started work as a painter and decorator but was trained in first aid, swimming coaching, and lifeguarding and planned to seek employment in that line of work.

He went out to attend a friend’s 21st birthday party before going to a nightclub.

The court heard that although Fairhurst did not stop after the collision on Easter Road, witnesses who saw what happened went to the aid of the crash victim, who was lying face down on the pavement.

Mr McKenna said: “They provided assistance and remained at the scene until the arrival of the emergency services.”

Paramedics who attended found the victim to be in cardiac arrest and stabilised him before he was taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he was placed in the intensive care unit before he succumbed to his injuries.

Road Policing Sergeant Paul Ewing said: “Our thoughts remain with family and friends of the young man that lost his life, and I hope that today’s sentencing brings them some comfort and allows them to move forward.

“Ralph Fairhurst showed absolutely no regard for the law and his reckless actions highlight the devastating consequences of dangerous driving and the lasting impact it has on those involved, along with their families and friends.”