Drunk driver high on cocaine who killed motorcylist in head-on crash jailed

A drunk driver who had taken cocaine before getting into his car killed a motorcyclist after crashing head-on into her has been jailed for four years and two months.

Kyle Waddell, 23, had previously been banned from the road when he hit Natalie Hawkins while behind the wheel of his nearly 30-year-old Toyota Celica ST.

The 35-year-old law and business student was thrown from her Kawasaki bike and did not survive the crash on the A89 Broxburn to Airdrie road in West Lothian on August 11, 2023.

Waddell pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving at the High Court in Glasgow.

Judge Lady Drummond told Waddell at sentencing: “Natalie had recently obtained her motorcycle licence and was described as a really careful motorcyclist who avoided busy roads.

“She would have had no reason to anticipate that you would drive towards her at speed, and she had no opportunity to react.

“There were emotional and psychological effects on her family.

“The shock and grief has impacted on their daily lives. Their outlook and ability to cope with milestones are overshadowed by their absence.

“You have effectively destroyed not only a life but a family, and nothing I can do today can lessen the grief of their profound loss.

“In all the circumstances, there is no sentence other than imprisonment which is appropriate.”

Waddell was then banned from driving for eight years and one month. He will also need to sit an extended test before he is allowed back onto the road.

Natalie, of Livingston, was returning from dropping off shopping when she was struck.

Waddell, of Falkirk, Stirlingshire, had been in a pub that day, having finished work.

He then left the bar with a friend before being flagged down by another young man and a teenage boy for a lift.

The court heard, at one stage, Waddell quickly closed the gap on a vehicle in front.

Prosecutor Caroline Macbride told the hearing: “This other driver stated that when he saw the lights of the car approaching from behind, it appeared to be doing a fast speed between 70mph and 80mph.”

Waddell was said to be within “inches” of hitting the other vehicle.

The Toyota was then pulling out onto the wrong side of the road, seemingly with no view of what was travelling in the opposite direction.

The other drivers then spotted Natalie on her motorbike.

Ms Macbride said: “The Toyota was still on the opposing carriageway. The Toyota struck Natalie Hawkins head-on, throwing her from the motorcycle.”

It was stated that there was nothing the motorcyclist, who was also a part-time bus driver, could have done to avoid being hit.

The Toyota came off the road and landed on its roof.

Waddell and the others managed to clamber out of the car.

Emergency crews arrived to try to help Natalie, but she could not be saved.

The court heard that Waddell later tested positive for cocaine and alcohol.

The hearing was told that Waddell’s initial position was that the other car in front had been going slower than he anticipated and that a collision was imminent, so he had moved out to avoid a bump.

It emerged that Waddell had received a fixed penalty for speeding in 2021.

He was then banned for 14 days the following year for the same offence.

Natalie’s grieving relatives paid tribute to her following the tragedy.

The family said: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.

“Natalie is an epitome of this quote and has left a void in the hearts of her two daughters and anyone who knew her.”

After the sentencing, Magda Hawkins stated that the family would have been celebrating Natalie’s university graduation.

Madga also made a plea to parents to warn their children of the consequences of driving when they get a licence.

Magda highlighted the Take Another Look campaign, which highlights driver behaviour and prevents deaths from driving.

The family also thanked Lady Drummond for her serious approach to the case.