Police ScotlandA speeding driver killed a much-loved mother as she returned home from work.
Francisco Suarez-Hughes struck Angela Marshall, 55, just a short distance from her front door in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire on January 13, 2022.
Crash investigators later concluded the 25-year-old could have been going at almost double the speed limit at the time in his Audi S3 Quattro.
The self-employed plumber is now behind bars after he pled guilty on Monday to causing Ms Marshall’s death by dangerous driving.
He will be sentenced next month.
The fatal collision occurred in Croftfoot Road in Rutherglen around 6.20pm that night.
Ms Marshall stayed nearby in Bowhouse Drive. She had just got off the bus having finished her shift at a city centre shop.
Suarez-Hughes – a first offender – was driving in the area at the same time.
A dog walker spotted the blue Audi that night and described whoever was behind the wheel as “definitely putting his foot down”.
Prosecutor Eric Robertson told the High Court in Glasgow: “Angela Marshall began to cross the road towards her home.
“Suarez-Hughes was driving his Audi westbound. The speed limit was 30mph.
“As she was crossing, he struck her with his vehicle. The impact caused her to be thrown.”
Suarez-Hughes, of Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, got out and dialled 999 stating: “I have just knocked someone down and I think I have killed her.”
Other witnesses also helped Ms Marshall including an off-duty nurse, who happened to be a neighbour of Suarez-Hughes.
He told her that he had not seen the mum “until the last minute” and “did not mean it”.
Ms Marshall did not recover despite attempts to save her at the scene. The court heard she suffered “multiple injuries”.
The charge stated Suarez-Hughes drove at “grossly excessive speed” while approaching a blind summit on the road and did fail to spot Ms Marshall resulting in the collision.
The hearing was told his maximum estimated speed at impact could have been 57mph in the 30mph zone.
Mr Robertson said it was concluded Suarez-Hughes was “wholly to blame” for what happened.
Members of Ms Marshall’s emotional family were in court on Monday.
Her daughter had lived with her, but had moved to England for work before the death.
A sister of Ms Marshall stayed in the same street as the mum.
Suarez-Hughes’ lawyer Graham Roberston said: “This, on any view, is an absolute tragedy for all concerned.
“This is because of the quality of his driving, which he accepts. He will be punished and rightly so.”
The defence advocate did not move for Suarez-Hughes to remain on bail.
Lord Fairley went on to remand him in custody as sentencing was deferred for reports.
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