Google MapsA driver who killed a road worker called out to help at an earlier crash scene has been jailed for three years.
Norbert Kas, 46, lost control of his high-powered BMW moments before striking Neil Farr and his colleagues in Dumbarton on May 9, 2022.
The High Court heard how Mr Farr ended up trapped under the joiner’s car at the town’s Lomondgate roundabout.
The 59-year-old dad of two did not survive the collision on the A82 road, and his four workmates were also badly injured.
Kas, of Johnstone, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death and serious injury at an earlier court appearance.
On Thursday, the first offender appeared for sentencing in Edinburgh before Judge Lord Armstrong, who said he needed to go to prison for his actions.
He added: “This is a very serious matter. No sentence that I can impose can be in any way a measure for the life that has been lost or those who have been injured.
“Nor can it provide comfort to the friends and family whose lives have been affected by your actions.
“Given the circumstances of the offence and to the level of your actions, I have come to the conclusion that there is no alternative to a custodial disposal.”
The court previously heard how a Mercedes driver had lost control of his car at the same roundabout and hit a light column, which fell on impact.
Prosecutor Erin Campbell said: “It is this earlier collision which lead to Neil Farr and his colleagues attending on behalf of Amey.
“The purpose was to make safe the falling light.”
Mr Farr and his colleague arrived first, before three other colleagues turned up.
Kas had been travelling from Glasgow with his partner on the way to check out a joinery job.
One motorist was aware of Kas going past him on the A82.
Ms Campbell then explained: “He negotiated the roundabout too fast for the weather conditions.
“As he exited, he accelerated and lost control of the vehicle, which began to wobble.
“Kas could not regain control – this resulted in the car sliding, mounting the grass verge at speed and colliding with Mr Farr and his colleagues, who were standing close to one another working on the light column.”
Some of the men were flung onto other parts of the verge. Mr Farr was trapped under the BMW.
Passers-by – including a nurse – stopped to help before emergency services arrived.
Mr Farr went into cardiac arrest and was described as being in a “critical condition”.
He was freed from beneath the car, but passed away due to head and chest injuries.
The much-loved dad is survived by his partner of more than 20 years and his two sons.
Ms Campbell also detailed how the other men were affected by the incident.
One was unable to walk for up to five months following surgery on leg fractures, while another was off work for ten weeks. Another man was off for seven months recovering from their injuries.
Another worker suffered muscle and ligament damage.
The advocate depute added that all had been left with “significant psychological distress” from what happened.
Crash investigators found the tread of a tyre on Kas’s car was below the legal limit and could have contributed to the collision.
On Thursday, defence advocate Allan Macleod told the court that his client had shown empathy towards his victims.
The lawyer said his client’s mental health had suffered after the collision and that Kas is suffering flashbacks to the day of the incident.
Mr Macleod also spoke of his client’s remorse.
He added: “Mr Kas understands that he has taken a life of somebody who was completely innocent of any wrongdoing who died.
“He has asked me to try to convey how sorry he is to the families of all those who have been affected.”
Lord Armstrong also banned Kas from driving for five years and three months.
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