A motorcyclist and car driver who killed a mother-of-one after driving at “grossly excessive” speeds were jailed this week.
Ashley Sadler (41) was caught on camera travelling at 118 mph on a Honda CBR 1000 Fireblade motorbike shortly before a collision that led to the death of Fiona Reid.
His co-accused Daniel De Monerri (38) was driving a Volkswagen Golf R when it was seen reaching 90 mph on CCTV before the fatal crash on the A7066 road in Bathgate.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard that another motorist had pulled out onto the right hand lane on the dual carriageway to allow the car being driven by Mrs Reid to come onto the A7066 from a slip road.
But Sadler’s motorbike struck the car that had gone into the right hand lane and De Monerri then came upon the collision and struck another motorcycle before hitting the Audi car driven by Mrs Reid.
Advocate depute Alex Prentice KC told the court: “The force of the collision resulted in Fiona Reid’s seat being broken and she was propelled backwards suffering a catastrophic head injury from which she died.”
Production manager Sadler, of Thirlfield Wynd, and engineer De Monerri, of Mallard Brae, both Livingston, admitted causing the death of Mrs Reid by driving dangerously at grossly excessive speeds on July 6, 2020.
They repeatedly switched lanes, drove in close proximity to each other and other road users while travelling at excessive speed.
Mr Prentice said: “Fiona Reid was 37 years old at the time of her death. She was married to Robert Reid and they have a daughter who was seven at the time of her mother’s death.”
The prosecutor said that shortly before the fatal collision another driver had passed a layby when he saw two motorbikes, including Sadler’s Honda Fireblade, parked along with De Monerri’s car, before they left the layby together.
“In the minutes leading up to the collision numerous witnesses saw the two motorbikes and the red Golf driving at and near the A7066. These vehicles were travelling in excess of the speed limit and were repeatedly switching lanes,” he said.
“The red Honda CBR 1000 R Fireblade is classed as a sports bike and is a powerful high performance motorcycle capable of rapid acceleration reaching 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds,” said Mr Prentice.
He said a worker at an industrial unit heard the noise of the motorbikes going past and described them as “absolutely gunning it”.
Another car driver, Beata Jaromin, was ahead of them when she saw Mrs Reid’s vehicle coming to join the dual carriageway from a slip road.
“She checked the left mirror, interior mirror and right mirror and indicated to change lane to let the deceased’s car enter the A7066. She entered the right lane and did not notice any vehicles or motorbikes behind her when she checked her mirrors,” said Mr Prentice.
But she then felt a bump as Sadler’s motorbike struck her car and he came off his motorcycle. De Monerri then arrived on the scene and because of his speed struck another motorcycle and lost control of his car and collided with Mrs Reid’s vehicle.
Emergency services arrived and firefighters cut Mrs Reid out from her damaged car. She was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she was found to have suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. and later died from her head injury.
Mr Prentice said: “It is the collision investigators opinion that the excessive speeds of the Honda Fireblade and the Volkswagen Golf involved in the collision have been the main causative factors in this collision and that had the Honda Fireblade and Volkswagen Golf been travelling at or below the speed limit of 70 mph for the roadway, the collisions could have been avoided.”
Defence counsel Tony Lenehan KC said Sadler wished to express his heartfelt sorrow and apologise to the Reid family.
Solicitor advocate Ewen Roy said: “Daniel De Monerri is also deeply remorseful for his actions on the fatal day.”
The judge, Lord Weir, remanded both drivers, who had been on bail, in custody ahead of sentencing while background reports are prepared on the pair.
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