A Perthshire man has admitted responsibility for injuring a pedestrian outside McDiarmid Park following a St Johnstone football match. The incident, which occurred near the B&Q on Crieff Road, involved a collision between a vehicle and a 74-year-old man as fans left the stadium. The driver, from East Huntingtower, faced a trial at Forfar Sheriff Court but ultimately accepted a plea to a lesser charge, avoiding a jury trial. Serious Injuries and Hospitalization
The pedestrian sustained multiple injuries in the incident, requiring immediate medical attention. Emergency services transported him to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where he received treatment for several broken ribs and a significant hand injury. The hand injury proved particularly severe, demanding surgical intervention involving bone realignment and fixation with implants, as well as soft tissue repair. Further medical care was necessary a couple of weeks later due to complications with the healing process.
The severity of the injuries underscores the impact of the collision, highlighting the importance of responsible driving, especially in areas with high pedestrian traffic, such as around McDiarmid Park after a major event. The incident also prompted a response from St Johnstone, with the club offering its support to the victim’s family and thanking the members of the public who assisted. The Circumstances Surrounding the Collision
The collision happened on Crieff Road, a busy thoroughfare in Perth, as a large number of football fans were leaving McDiarmid Park following a St Johnstone match. The driver had picked up his partner from Perth city centre and was driving home when the incident occurred. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the pedestrian stumbled into the road before the collision.
A traffic accident investigator assessed the scene and provided expert testimony during the trial. Their analysis pointed to the conclusion that while the driver hadn’t dangerously driven, the speed and the failure to fully observe the pedestrian contributed to the accident. The size and weight of the three-litre Chrysler 300C further emphasized the potential impact of even a minor collision. Court Proceedings and Sentencing
The driver initially faced a more serious charge of causing injury through dangerous driving. However, the court accepted a plea of guilty to a charge of causing injury through careless driving, after the expert witness testimony and other presented evidence. This decision avoided the need for a full jury trial. The sheriff indicated that custodial sentencing was not immediately considered; however, he delayed sentencing to allow the preparation of background reports on the driver.
A driving ban was imposed until the sentencing hearing, which reflects the severity of the offence and the need to ensure public safety on Perth’s roads. The local community is likely to follow the case with interest, with the sentencing date in June acting as an important milestone for the victim, their family, and all affected. Community Impact and Safety Concerns
The incident near McDiarmid Park raises awareness about the dangers of pedestrian and vehicle interactions, especially during periods of high pedestrian activity. The case serves as a reminder for drivers to exercise caution and vigilance near stadiums, particularly after events like football matches, which often involve significant pedestrian traffic around the stadium. It also highlights the impact of driver carelessness, especially given the pedestrian’s substantial injuries.
Perth and Kinross residents are encouraged to be mindful of their surroundings when navigating busy streets, especially near major landmarks like McDiarmid Park. The council frequently promotes road safety initiatives around Perth city centre and encourages safe pedestrian and traffic flow, particularly around events. The incident may also lead to an increase in such road safety initiatives throughout Perth and Kinross.
The case emphasizes the importance of responsible driving behaviours and the need for drivers to prioritize the safety of pedestrians. While the court proceedings have concluded with the guilty plea, the broader implications remain for the Perth and Kinross community. The sentencing hearing in June is expected to focus on the appropriate punishment to reflect the significant injuries caused by the driver’s actions and to further deter similar incidents in the future.
The pedestrian sustained multiple injuries in the incident, requiring immediate medical attention. Emergency services transported him to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where he received treatment for several broken ribs and a significant hand injury. The hand injury proved particularly severe, demanding surgical intervention involving bone realignment and fixation with implants, as well as soft tissue repair. Further medical care was necessary a couple of weeks later due to complications with the healing process.
The severity of the injuries underscores the impact of the collision, highlighting the importance of responsible driving, especially in areas with high pedestrian traffic, such as around McDiarmid Park after a major event. The incident also prompted a response from St Johnstone, with the club offering its support to the victim’s family and thanking the members of the public who assisted. The Circumstances Surrounding the Collision
The collision happened on Crieff Road, a busy thoroughfare in Perth, as a large number of football fans were leaving McDiarmid Park following a St Johnstone match. The driver had picked up his partner from Perth city centre and was driving home when the incident occurred. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the pedestrian stumbled into the road before the collision.
A traffic accident investigator assessed the scene and provided expert testimony during the trial. Their analysis pointed to the conclusion that while the driver hadn’t dangerously driven, the speed and the failure to fully observe the pedestrian contributed to the accident. The size and weight of the three-litre Chrysler 300C further emphasized the potential impact of even a minor collision. Court Proceedings and Sentencing
The driver initially faced a more serious charge of causing injury through dangerous driving. However, the court accepted a plea of guilty to a charge of causing injury through careless driving, after the expert witness testimony and other presented evidence. This decision avoided the need for a full jury trial. The sheriff indicated that custodial sentencing was not immediately considered; however, he delayed sentencing to allow the preparation of background reports on the driver.
A driving ban was imposed until the sentencing hearing, which reflects the severity of the offence and the need to ensure public safety on Perth’s roads. The local community is likely to follow the case with interest, with the sentencing date in June acting as an important milestone for the victim, their family, and all affected. Community Impact and Safety Concerns
The incident near McDiarmid Park raises awareness about the dangers of pedestrian and vehicle interactions, especially during periods of high pedestrian activity. The case serves as a reminder for drivers to exercise caution and vigilance near stadiums, particularly after events like football matches, which often involve significant pedestrian traffic around the stadium. It also highlights the impact of driver carelessness, especially given the pedestrian’s substantial injuries.
Perth and Kinross residents are encouraged to be mindful of their surroundings when navigating busy streets, especially near major landmarks like McDiarmid Park. The council frequently promotes road safety initiatives around Perth city centre and encourages safe pedestrian and traffic flow, particularly around events. The incident may also lead to an increase in such road safety initiatives throughout Perth and Kinross.
The case emphasizes the importance of responsible driving behaviours and the need for drivers to prioritize the safety of pedestrians. While the court proceedings have concluded with the guilty plea, the broader implications remain for the Perth and Kinross community. The sentencing hearing in June is expected to focus on the appropriate punishment to reflect the significant injuries caused by the driver’s actions and to further deter similar incidents in the future.