Jailed for four years, speeding motorist who killed van driver after using car as a 'lethal weapon'
- Kyle Reid, 27, lost control when he tried to overtake a vehicle on the A947, skidded and then struck an HGV
- The lorry collided with 62-year-old Anthony Duncan’s VW transporter van, killing him, while passenger Stuart Morrison, 58, was seriously injured
- Reid pled guilty to dangerous driving after doing 71mph
A speeding motorist has been locked up after killing a van driver when he used his car as ‘lethal weapon’.
Kyle Reid, 27, lost control when he tried to overtake a vehicle, skidded and struck an HGV driven by Michael Malone.
The collision caused Mr Malone’s lorry to hit 62-year-old Anthony Duncan’s VW transporter van, killing him, while passenger Stuart Morrison, 58, was seriously injured on the A947 near Whiterashes, Aberdeenshire on December 11, 2020.
Reid later denied performing the overtaking manoeuvre which caused the death of Mr Duncan - known as ‘Web’ - when quizzed by police around nine months after the crash.
He pled guilty to causing Mr Duncan’s death and Mr Morrison’s severe injury by dangerous driving.
Anthony Duncan, 62, died after his VW transporter van was struck by an HGV
Emergency workers at the scene of the fatal crash on the A947 near Whiterashes, Aberdeenshire on December 11, 2020
He was jailed for four years and three months at the High Court in Glasgow.
Judge Lord Mulholland said: ‘You were travelling too fast at 71mph which was 18 to 19 per cent above the maximum speed for this road.
‘You overtook a vehicle and, when you lost control, you oversteered and were unable to correct this.
‘You entered the other lane reserved for vehicles travelling in the opposite direction and connected with the front of a lorry which then lost control.
‘The lorry collided with the van driven by Anthony Duncan when he lost his life and his passenger Stuart Morrison was seriously injured.
‘These collisions need not to have happened if driving in a safe manner.
‘A motor vehicle can be used as a lethal weapon in the wrong hands and unfortunate for them it was in your hands that day.
‘You have caused untold grief and misery for Mr Duncan and Mr Morrison’s families and have given Mr Duncan’s family a life sentence.
‘He was a much loved partner, father and son. I read the victim impact statement from his widow which was heart wrenching.’
Reid, of Insch, Aberdeenshire, was also disqualified from driving for 11 years and seven months.
It was revealed he has previous convictions for speeding and driving without insurance as well as with no licence.
Gareth Jones KC, defending, told the sentencing that his client shows ‘empathy’ towards his victims.
Mr Duncan - who was involved with his local Highland football team Turriff United for 10 years - was hailed as a ‘genuine legend’ in a tribute posted by the team after his death.
His family’s statement said: ‘We are heartbroken that Web was tragically taken from us. Web will be remembered for his selfless loving nature.’
They said the ‘loving husband, devoted dad, grandad, brother and friend’ would be ‘sorely missed by all’.
