Fatal Wester Ross crash saw Highland holiday end in tragedy, court told
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A tour of the Highlands ended in tragedy for two holidaymakers who were killed in a head-on collision between two vehicles in Wester Ross.
But Inverness Sheriff Court heard that no-one could explain why 77-year-old Ronald Stoneman from Broughty Ferry failed to negotiate a "modest left hand bend" on the A832 near Creag na Dunaiche in Dundonnell on August 31, 2022 and crossed into the opposing carriageway.
His hired Kia Sportage carrying his wife, Maureen and two family friends from Canada, Donna and Michael Engelbert, drove into the path of a Kia Venga.
Yvonne Gillon was at the wheel with her husband, 69-year-old computer programmer Kenneth in the front seat. He was killed as was Mrs Engelbert, who was one of Stoneman's rear seat passengers.
Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald was told Mr Gillon died from multiple fractures and injuries at the scene despite heroic efforts by other motorists and paramedics giving CPR for over an hour.
Mrs Engelbert succumbed to her injuries which resulted in her contracting sepsis after surgery at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. She died 10 days following the collision on September 10.
Stoneman of Balgillo Road, also spent 10 days in hospital after suffering rib fractures and his wife also required treatment to rib, lung and kidney injuries. Mrs Gillan suffered multiple fractures.
Stoneman admitted causing two deaths and serious injury to the two passengers by careless driving and had sentence deferred until May 31 for a background report.
He was banned from driving in the interim.
Fiscal depute Niall Macdonald told the court that the weather was fine, visibility good and there were no defects in the cars or the road to explain why the collision occurred on a piece of open road on "a modest left hand bend.
"Suddenly Mrs Gillon saw Robert Stoneman's Kia coming round it on her side of the road and she had nowhere to go. She recalls it caused an almighty bang."
Stoneman later told police he did not recall seeing Mrs Gillon's car before the "bang" and nor did he know why it happened, Mr Macdonald added.
The prosecutor said that even police experts who examined the scene could find no reason why Stoneman didn't stay on his side of the road. But they were in no doubt he was totally responsible.
Defence solicitor Amy Fox reserved her full comments in mitigation until sentencing but told the Sheriff: "He finds it difficult that he crossed over the line but accepts he did.
"He has driven all over Scotland when he worked and has no convictions. He has not driven since this incident and has no intention of doing so."
