Van driver who killed cyclist in crash while high on cannabis jailed

A van driver who failed a drug test after killing a cyclist in a crash has been jailed for more than five years.

Edward Parsons ploughed into the back of Scott Gillies after failing to spot the 50-year-old in front of him on Initiative Road in Kirkintilloch.

Father-of-two Mr Gillies – a railway signal operator – never survived the collision on June 9, 2023.

Building firm director Parsons – who had previously been banned from the road – later tested positive for cannabis during a police “drug swipe”.

The 66-year-old earlier pled guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Judge Tony Kelly sentenced Parsons to five years and four months while also banning him from the road for 12 years and nine months.

He said Scott, of the city’s Baillieston, had been “clearly observable” that day with “no obstruction” between him and the van driver.

A number of moving victim impact statements from Scott’s grieving relatives had been written prior to the hearing.

Referring to one by Scott’s son, Andrew, Judge Kelly told the court: “He said he should not have died that day.

“Andrew stated: ‘My dad was one in a million and I do not know if I will ever come to terms with him missing out on many things in my life’.”

Daughter Louise was also affected by the “shocking” and “devastating” death.

Scott’s partner, Yvonne, described her life as “isolating” without him and wanted Parsons to “understand” the pain he has caused.

Mr Gillies, of Baillieston, was described as an experienced cyclist.

He had gone out for a ride that morning from his home. A camera on the back of his bike captured him on the stretch of road where the crash happened.

The footage played in court showed a number of drivers safely driving around to get past him.

Parsons’s Renault van then came into view.

The court heard the vehicle appeared to go at a “constant pace” with no slowing down or moving to avoid Scott.

Prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC explained: “Just after 10.30am, Scott Gillies was struck from behind by a white Renault van driven by Parsons.

“The impact caused the bicycle to fracture. He was thrown off, colliding with the bonnet, windscreen and roof of the van before landing on the road.

“Several members of the public stopped to try and assist.”

Emergency services also arrived and, despite desperate efforts, the much-loved dad could not be saved.

Parsons also stayed at the scene.

Police spoke to him, but did not notice any sign of “impairment”.

He confirmed he had been the driver of the van.

Mr Jessop added: “Police required him to provide a specimen of breath for alcohol and a sample of saliva for drugs.

“It was negative for alcohol, but the drugs swipe indicated positive for cannabis.”

Parsons also pled guilty to having 5.3mg of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol – the main active chemical in the class B drug – in his blood.

The legal limit is 2mg.

The court heard Parsons was solely to blame for the tragedy.

Referring to the conclusion of crash investigators, Mr Jessop stated: “The driver of the van had 19 seconds of clear view with no obstructions to observe Scott Gillies on his bike, but apparently did not do so.”

Parsons had previously been banned for six months in 2013 for using a mobile phone behind the wheel. He has other road traffic convictions.

Thomas Ross KC, defending, said: “He has spent a great deal of time reflecting upon his driving.

“He simply cannot explain the inattention which gave rise to the incident. He is very sorry about it and the harm that he has caused.”

Mr Gillies is survived by his partner, two adult children and five siblings.

His brother, Ian Gillies, had also been the victim of a similar cycling collision just weeks earlier, when a drunk driver also struck him from behind.

He was hit in Stepps on May 6, 2023, while out on his own bike.

In one media interview, Ian said: “Five weeks later, my brother was cycling and was killed.

“We were close and would go out together on the bikes. He had been helping me recover when he was killed. It has been a horrible time for the family.”

The driver who collided with Ian was later fined and banned from the road for the incident, which reportedly left the cyclist badly hurt.