A 100mph driver who triggered a horrific five-car motorway pile-up has been jailed for 18 months and banned from driving. Roofing agency boss Donald Gunn wandered off from the wreckage to a service station as firefighters fought to free casualties.
He then acquired a taxi to his sister's house the place he fell asleep, a courtroom heard. A lady suffered a damaged ankle and critical accidents to her mouth when the automotive she was in collided with two different automobiles, leaving her trapped inside.
Gunn, 36, of Glasgow, admitted driving dangerously on the M74 in Lanarkshire on December 13, 2020. Hamilton Sheriff Court docket heard on Monday that a number of collisions occurred 5 minutes after Gunn was seen enterprise one other automotive at excessive velocity in moist situations.
Dunn drove up quick behind one other automotive and his employed BMW struck it regardless of the feminine driver's efforts to change lanes.
Paul Jamieson, prosecuting, mentioned: "This triggered her car to spin uncontrolled a number of instances earlier than stopping. Her car was then hit by one other automotive whose driver didn't have time to react. That automotive was struck by a fourth car.
"One automotive flipped on to its roof earlier than hitting the central reservation. The three occupants have been trapped inside. In the meantime, the accused's automotive had spun uncontrolled and was struck by one other car."
Three girls have been taken to hospital. Two had minor accidents however a 45-year-old required surgical procedure on her damaged ankle. She additionally misplaced two tooth and faces an £8,000 dental invoice.
Mr Jamieson instructed the courtroom : "There have been no different accidents, however all automobiles concerned have been considerably broken. Particles was scattered throughout all 4 lanes and the motorway was closed for 3 hours.
"Witnesses noticed the accused and his girlfriend strolling away from the realm in the direction of Bothwell motorway companies. Gunn phoned the police the subsequent day. He mentioned he had panicked and left the scene. He acquired a taxi to his sister's tackle earlier than falling asleep.
"All witnesses have been of the opinion that the accused had been driving far too quick. The automotive rent firm was in a position to present that within the 5 minutes earlier than the crash his common velocity was 100 miles an hour."
Defence agent Ann Ritchie mentioned the dad of two had been “exhibiting off” to his girlfriend and supplied “no excuse” for his driving. She added that Gunn, who earns as much as £2,000 per week, employs 5 individuals in his enterprise.
Jailing Gunn, Sheriff Liam Murphy mentioned: “You have been considerably over the velocity restrict, notably given the prevailing situations. It was deliberate and considerably harmful. There was a critical damage and it’s solely luck that the results weren't even worse”
Gunn was additionally banned from driving for 45 months and ordered to resit his take a look at.
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