Driver convicted after van veered onto pavement, killing pedestrian in Strathaven
Joseph Gorman, 50, has been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving after his van mounted a kerb in Strathaven and killed pedestrian Craig Wilson. Gorman said his unrestrained dog distracted him, but prosecutors argued the risk was obvious and the distraction lasted longer than a split second.
The crash happened on the A726 Glasgow Road on 1 April 2023, striking Wilson, his fiancée Hannah Duddy, her mother Yvonne and their dog. Wilson and the dog died, while Duddy was badly injured. Gorman had initially veered across the road and continued driving; after the collision, his van rolled backwards and hit a telegraph pole. He remains on bail until sentencing next month and has been banned from driving in the meantime.
- A van driver was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.
- His unrestrained dog distracted him before the van mounted a kerb.
- Craig Wilson and the dog died; sentencing is due next month.
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Strathaven is a town in South Lanarkshire, south of Glasgow, and the A726 is one of its main roads. Pedestrians may share its pavements with homes, shops and other everyday town activity.
In Scotland, causing death by dangerous driving means driving in a way that falls far below the standard expected of a careful driver and creates an obvious danger. A driver’s explanation for being distracted can be considered by the court alongside the circumstances of the driving.
The case concerns the risks of losing control near people on foot and the legal responsibility drivers have to keep their vehicles under control. Sentencing is a separate stage after conviction, when the court decides the penalty.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Van driver who mounted kerb and killed pedestrian blames crash on his DOG”.