Driver says split-second lapse caused crash that killed teacher

A MOTHER-of-two admitted a “momentary lapse” caused a fatal crash in which she lost control of her people carrier and ploughed into a car, killing a teacher.

Jacqueline Davidson, 48, who was driving home from a children’s party, was “tortured” by what had happened, Cupar Sheriff Court heard.

Her Volvo 4x4 collided almost head on with primary school teacher Lorna Grant’s Renault Clio on the A92 between the Five Roads and Forgan roundabouts near Cupar.

Miss Grant, 34, who taught at Fintry Primary School in Dundee, had to be cut from the wreckage by firefighters in a operation that took more than an hour. She died after being airlifted to nearby Ninewells Hospital.

Five children who were in the Volvo were injured, as too was Davidson.

Ann Orr, prosecuting, said the accident happened just after 12.30pm on 29 August 2010.

She said that Davidson and her husband Brian had been taking nine children home from a go-karting centre in Kirkcaldy in separate cars.

The depute fiscal said Davidson’s car was “seen to drift”. Miss Grant was coming the other way, and Davidson was “so far over the centre line” that an “almost head-on” collision took place.

Miss Orr said: “Brian Davidson looked in his rear view mirror to see his wife’s vehicle on its roof.” Miss Grant’s Clio went backwards down a six-foot embankment.

Police charged Davidson with causing Miss Grant’s death by careless driving.

Investigators concluded Davidson was to blame, but they were unable to say why she crossed the white line. Davidson, of Albany Road, Broughty Ferry, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.

Ian Duguid, QC, defending, said Davidson had been “tortured” by what had been “a terrible accident”, and he extended her sympathy to the family and friends of Miss Grant.

He said the case had taken a long time to come to court because of extensive tests to establish whether there had been any medical reason for the fatal manoeuvre.

He said there were two possible explanations.

Firstly, doctors had found “spikes” in Davidson’s brainwaves, suggesting she might have suffered an epileptic episode. Secondly, she was taking prescribed anti-depressants and over-the-counter painkillers for a migraine, which might have combined to cause a blackout. He said: “She was breathalysed and she wasn’t over the limit. She wasn’t exceeding the speed limit.

“She was driving on the wrong side of the road, and she has no explanation for what seems to be a momentary loss of consciousness or concentration. She expresses extreme regret.

“Mrs Davidson has been tortured by these events. She has never driven a car since that day, she has never returned to any kind of employment, has been under treatment by psychologists, and has been suffering nightmares and flashbacks.

“She had been a driver for 28 years without a single blemish. She is desperately trying to understand what accounted for what happened.”

Sheriff Charlie Macnair deferred sentence until 17 May for the preparation of a criminal justice social background reports.

He also banned Davidson from driving temporarily until the sentencing hearing, at which a definite period of disqualification will be set.