Driver who killed motorcyclist in head-on crash after overtaking at blind bend jailed

A woman who killed a motorcyclist in a horror head-on crash has been jailed for four years.

Leanne Adams, 31, overtook another car at a blind bend before travelling at speed in her Vauxhall Insignia on a rural road in East Ayrshire.

She soon hit Robert Lynch, who was thrown from his Harley Davidson Fat Boy into a field.

The 59-year-old didn’t recover following the crash on the A719 between Crossroads and Galston on June 17, 2023.

Adams – who had passed her test less than a year earlier – was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

The first offender had earlier pled guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Lord Mulholland told Adams that he had read emotional impact statements from relatives of Mr Lynch, with one describing the “relentless torture” following the tragic loss.

The judge said: “You have caused untold grief to his family. I pay tribute to them for the dignity they have shown in such circumstances.”

Mr Lynch and his friend had been travelling to a motorbike show when tragedy struck.

Adams was in the area that afternoon, returning to her hometown of Ayr.

Another driver clocked the mother looking to overtake a slower car in front.

Adams went on to carry out the manoeuvre at what was described as a “blind bend”.

Prosecutor John Coogan told the court: “The witness spoke of her ‘heart being in her mouth’. She was of the view that the driver of the Insignia would not have been able to see if anything was coming in the other direction.”

Adams continued going too fast before losing control of the Vauxhall.

She ended up on the wrong side of the road, directly into the path of Mr Lynch’s Harley Davidson.

His friend, who was riding his Ducati bike, braked heavily and threw himself into a hedge to avoid being hit.

Desperate attempts were made to try to save Mr Lynch, but he passed away having suffered multiple injuries.

His friend suffered leg, back and neck pain. He went on to suffer flashbacks from the trauma.

Adams’ car also ended up in a field. She admitted to police she had been driving.

An investigation later took place into the crash.

Mr Coogan stated: “After overtaking on a blind bend, Adams drove at excessive speed through a further series of bends ignoring painted ‘slow’ markers, rumble strips and warning signs.

“For reasons unknown, after negotiating a right-hand bend, crossing over a humped bridge, she has driven her vehicle over the hazard warning lines into the opposing carriageway.”

The court heard victim impact statements from Mr Lynch’s wife, daughter and sister had been completed for Judge Douglas Brown to consider detailing the “profound impact” on the family.

Laura Anne Radcliffe, defending, said Adams was remorseful for what had happened.

She added: “This case can only be described as tragic.

“She has not driven since this incident, nor has she any intention of doing so again.”