Hit-and-run campervan driver who fled scene of motorbike crash which left man injured jailed

A hit-and-run campervan driver who fled from the scene of a crash which left a motorcyclist seriously injured has been jailed for 16 months.

Lee Lynch smelled of cider and was slurring his words when he was eventually found by police.

He claimed he had consumed alcohol he had taken with him for a camping trip after panicking after the crash.

Sheriff Christopher Shead told him: “The court has to consider whether the offences are sufficiently serious that a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal.

“I’ve reached the conclusion that the test is met, particularly having regard to the combination of charges on this indictment.”

Father-of-four Lynch, of Broxburn, West Lothian, pleaded guilty last month to causing serious injury to the 62-year-old motorcyclist by dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, and failing to comply with a preliminary breath test.

Falkirk Sheriff Court heard Lynch, 45, had pulled directly and without indicating across the path of the man, who was riding south on the single carriageway A84 at Leny Woods near Callander, Perthshire.

The victim tried to brake and swerve but was unable to avoid the Ford Transit campervan and an Audi car that was travelling behind it.

He collided with both vehicles and was thrown from his Ducati bike, landing unconscious in the road.

He suffered a concussion, neck strain, and injuries to his wrist and knee.

Lynch left the scene, despite attempts by another biker to stop him, and was found by police wandering in flip-flops with his dog in nearby hills.

The incident occurred about 6.15pm on June 25, 2026.

People on the public benches gasped as dashcam footage of the crash was played on the courtroom screens.

Prosecutor Alistair McDermid said: “The accused failed to observe [the motorcyclist] and his van collided with [the victim] and his motorcycle.”

After the collision, the driver of the Audi stopped, got out, and ran to check on the victim and shouted, “What are you playing at?” to Lynch.

Lynch returned to his van and drove off.

A friend of the victim, who had been on his own bike, rode after Lynch and caught up with him a mile away. Lynch said “I’ve done nothing wrong” before driving off once again.

Police later found Lynch’s camper parked and damaged on a nearby rural access route, which serves mountain bike trails and paths leading to Ben Ledi mountain.

The campervan “smelled of alcohol and contained empty cider cans”.

Mr McDermid said: “Lynch was traced about 2.5kms away walking his dog on a hill. Police noted he was not dressed for hill walking and was wearing flip-flops.”

He refused to take a preliminary breath test despite smelling of alcohol and slurring his words, and was arrested.

Defence agent Matthew Super insisted Lynch had not been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

He said: “He had been going to meet his friends camping. He panicked and drove away, and started consuming the alcohol that he had with him at that stage.

“I have rarely represented a client who has shown as much remorse.”

Lynch, who was appearing by video link from Low Moss Prison after being remanded in custody following his guilty plea, showed no emotion when the jail term was announced.

He was also banned from the road for four years.