Policeman killed in M8 crash ‘felt unwell in car’

AN off-duty policeman who was knocked down and killed by a tanker on the M8 got out of his car on the hard shoulder after “feeling unwell”, according to his brother.

Detective Constable Ian Smollet died after he was hit by a passing tanker on the M8. Picture: PA

Detective Constable Ian Smollet died last Thursday after being struck by a Leyland DAF tanker close to junction two of the main motorway link between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

DC Smollet, 35, was driving with his 69-year-old father, William, as his passenger when he pulled over.

Kevin Smollet, of Ellon, Aberdeenshire, said: “My father was in the car with him at the time of the accident and Ian pulled over as he was feeling unwell.

“He got out of the car to get some fresh air.”

It has emerged the 35-year-old police officer was expecting a third child with his wife, Laura, 33.

Kevin Smollet said his brother would be “sorely missed”. He said: “He was a fun-loving person and loved his kids.

“He also loved his job. He will be sorely missed by every one of his friends and his family.”

DC Smollet suffered multiple injuries in the collision and was treated at the scene by an emergency team. He died from his injuries after being rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

The busy main road was closed for around five hours on Thursday afternoon while officers conducted an investigation.

DC Smollet and his wife, who was originally from Ellon, were married at King’s College Chapel in Aberdeen in 2009. The couple had two daughters – five-year-old Zoe and three-year-old Isla.

A family statement issued following his death read: “Ian was a caring and loving husband, an amazing dad and will be missed immensely.”

DC Smollet was based at Livingston police station and served in the Lothians and Scottish Borders Division of Police Scotland.

He is believed to have been the subject of an internal inquiry over breach of the peace allegations.

A Police Scotland spokesman said previously their internal inquiry into the allegations was not part of the investigation into his death.

He said: “We are aware of an incident which was the subject of an investigation and is separate to our investigation into DC Smollet’s death.”

DC Smollet had not been suspended from his work or charged over the breach of the peace claims. Police are still appealing for any witnesses to the road collision to come forward.

A police spokesman said: “Inquiries are ongoing.”