HGV driver on video call who caused death of elderly woman in head-on crash jailed

An HGV driver who was on a video call moments before he caused an 88-year-old woman’s death has been jailed for four years and eight months.

Blair Jardine, 31, caused Sarah Wood’s death after his lorry struck a car being driven by the pensioner’s niece.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how the collision took place on the A70 Edinburgh to Ayr road on June 4, 2024 close to Ochiltree, East Ayrshire.

Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC said the incident took place at an unclassified junction at Killoch Collery.

Mr Prentice said the speed limit for HGVs was 40 miles per hour. However, investigators established Jardine was driving at 56mph.

Describing the moments leading up to the incident, Mr Prentice said: “Ahead of him was a white van which had stopped and was signalling to turn right into a depot. There was a stationery car behind the van.

“Blair Jardine was on a hands free video call with another person and he did not pay attention to the road ahead.

“Consequently he failed to react to the presence of the stationary vehicle, braked sharply causing the wheels to lock and he was unable to stop in time to avoid a collision with the stationery west bound traffic so he swerved into the opposing carriageway causing a head on collision with [Ms Wood’s niece’s} motor vehicle.

“Sadie Wood [and her niece] were both severely injured. Sarah Wood later died because of the injuries she sustained.”

Jardine, of Crosshill, South Ayrshire, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing Sarah’s death and causing serious injury to Lyndsay.

He appeared for sentencing on Friday morning before judge Lady Haldane who heard how Jardine was profoundly remorseful and was experiencing grief.

But Lady Haldane concluded the only suitable disposal was to impose a custodial sentence on Jardine.

Speaking about a statement submitted to the court from Ms Wood’s niece, Lady Haldane said: “It is clear from the detailed victim impact statement that I have received that the physical, psychological and social consequences of these injuries are profound and perhaps life-long.

“It is against this background that there is nothing that this court can say or do that will alleviate the profound loss that is being experienced by the family of Sarah Wood.

“It is clear that your remorseful and that this is sincere and deeply felt – I do not doubt that at all.

“These are mitigating factors and I take them into account.”

At earlier proceedings, Mr Prentice said that following the collision police and fire and rescue personnel rushed to the scene – they cut both Sarah and Lyndsay from the wreckage of the younger woman’s MG ZS vehicle.

Both were taken to the Queen University Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow for emergency treatment.

The court heard that meanwhile police detained Jardine at the scene.

Mr Prentice added: “Blair Jardine identified himself as the driver of the vehicle. Blair Jardine also freely stated to the police officers that he had been using his mobile telephone on speaker at the time of the collision.

“Later enquiry revealed he had been on a video call with another person and that the screens were blank.”

Officers at the scene also saw several locked wheel tyre marks on the road. Mr Prentice said this demonstrated that Jardine “applied emergency braking” and steered into the opposing lane.

Mr Prentice said friends and family called Sarah Sadie – she was a widow, a mum of two and a retired retail manager.

The advocate depute that doctors treating Sarah found she had “extensive injury” including fractures to her nose, a rib, a lumbar vertebra and both hands.

The court heard that on June 5 2024, Sarah had surgery and suffered a stroke after she came out of the theatre.

Mr Prentice sad that on June 7 2024 she was transferred to the major trauma unit at the hospital but continued to “deteriorate rapidly” – she later died at 7.15pm on June 10, 2024.

Meanwhile Ms Wood’s niece – who was aged 59 at the time of the collision – suffered a head injury, rib, knee, leg and wrist fractures and a broken hip.

Mr Prentice added: “She has had multiple orthopaedic plastic surgery interventions since then.

“She was discharged on October 15, 2024 having spent four months in hospital of the collision. She is continuing with rehabilitation.”

On Friday, Ms Toner told the court that Jardine was sorry for his actions.

She added: “He has experienced grief, remorse and stress. He stated that this will haunt him for the rest of his life.

“He accepts responsibility for his actions.”

Lady Haldane also banned Jardine from driving for eight years and four months.