Widow died just days after her husband was killed by drink driver

An ELDERLY woman collapsed at the shock of her husband’s death in a road accident, and died a matter of days later, a court heard yesterday.

Lewis Leslie, 83, had been expected to survive injuries he sustained when a drink driver crashed into his car, but his condition suddenly deteriorated and doctors could not save him.

Mr Leslie, of Gullane, East Lothian, had been carer to his wife, Margaret, also 83. She took the news of his loss exceptionally badly, and suffered a stroke and never recovered, dying some 18 days later.

Peter Mechan, 47, of Sandport Street, Edinburgh, admitted causing Mr Leslie’s death by driving carelessly and while unfit through drink on 11 August, 2009. He will be sentenced next month.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard Mr Leslie had been on a night-out in Edinburgh and was being driven home about 11:20pm in his car, a Peugeot 406, by a friend, George Montgomery, 62.

As the car travelled south on the A198 dual carriageway between Prestonpans and Longniddry, East Lothian, another vehicle, a Rover being driven by Mechan, emerged from a side road without stopping.

“Mr Montgomery was forced to brake and he swerved … but was unable to avoid the Rover,” said the advocate-depute, Peter McCormack.

Mr Leslie assured his friend that he was “fine” although he was trapped in the wreckage. Firefighters cut him free and he was taken to hospital in Edinburgh. Paramedics noticed the smell of alcohol on Mechan’s breath and he said he had been having domestic problems.

He added: “I have been really stupid, there is no point in denying it.” He failed a breath test. His count was 131, the legal limit being 80. He asked how Mr Leslie was, and was reassured that everyone was okay, and nobody was in danger.

Doctors at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary found Mr Lewis had fractures to the neck and sternum, but he appeared to be making a good recovery and was transferred next day to Roodlands Hospital, Haddington, for a few days’ recuperation.

The following morning, his condition deteriorated and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

A post mortem examination showed Mr Leslie had sustained a tear in an artery in the abdomen, which had caused internal bleeding. A consultant pathologist said it was a recognised but rare seatbelt injury, and one she could not recall seeing in 18 years of examining hundreds of victims of road traffic accidents.

In a police interview two weeks after the crash, Mechan said he was having trouble coping with the psychological effects of the incident, and had been unable to return to work and had sought counselling.

Mr McCormack added: “In spite of his age, the deceased was an energetic man who enjoyed his garden and greenhouse, jazz and his relationships with his wife, for whom he was a full-time carer, sons and grandchildren.

“He is described by his sons as a loving and supportive father who was always there, gave good advice, and had a good sense of humour. The deceased had been married to his wife, Margaret, for more than 40 years.

“She took the news of his death badly and suffered a stroke, from which she did not recover. She passed away on 31 August, 2009.”

The defence counsel, Simon Gilbride, said Mechan had asked him to convey his sorrow for the pain and suffering he had caused Mr Leslie’s family.

“The tragedy has clearly been compounded by what followed,” added Mr Gilbride.

The judge, Lady Dorrian, allowed Mechan to remain on bail until the sentencing hearing.