Chinese Motorist Jailed for Fatal Crash Involving Biker

A Chinese national has been sentenced to 14 months in prison after causing the death of a motorcyclist who was undertaking a “bucket list” journey along the North Coast 500. Motorist Die Huang, 51, was operating her vehicle on the incorrect side of the road when she collided with Andrew MacPherson’s motorcycle, propelling him into the air on the A9 close to Calvine in Perthshire. She pleaded guilty to causing the death of Mr. MacPherson, 63, from Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, through dangerous driving on June 23. Additionally, Huang received a driving disqualification for a period of five years and seven months. Judge Lord Harrower addressed Huang, stating: “No sentence of this court can alleviate the anguish being suffered by Mr MacPherson’s entire family.” During earlier proceedings at the High Court in Edinburgh, Advocate depute Alex Prentice KC informed the court that Mr. MacPherson, a former train driver, had dedicated himself to his hobbies following his medical retirement. The prosecutor remarked: “Motorcycling was his main interest. The trip was on his “bucket list”, being the NC500 and he had talked about it for nearly a decade.” Mr. Prentice added: “He left behind a sister and brother-in-law, daughter, two sons and his wife.” The court was informed that Ms. Huang had been touring Scotland, having come to the UK to visit her son, Chuhan Xu, who resides and studies in London. Chuhan Xu suffered a fractured spine in the collision. A second passenger in the rented Hyundai that Ms. Huang was operating during the incident also sustained injuries, specifically a fractured arm and jaw. Mr. MacPherson had arrived in Scotland on June 22 with companions, including his stepson Edward Muller, who was also riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Mr. Prentice recounted that a different motorist observed Huang’s vehicle overtaking other cars from behind and then witnessed it move into the oncoming lane, seemingly to pass his own vehicle, yet without accelerating. The prosecutor stated: “He slowed down to allow the accused to move back across into the correct lane but got no reaction. “Having observed oncoming motorcycles, he slowed down again however the accused failed to react and remained in the opposing lane.” Mr. Prentice further explained that Mr. Muller, who was following his stepfather, witnessed Huang’s vehicle enter the opposing lane directly into Mr. MacPherson’s path, affording him no opportunity to react prior to the impact. Mr. Prentice detailed the collision: “Having been struck, Andrew MacPherson was thrown from his motorcycle, collided with the front of the accused’s vehicle and came to rest on the road surface behind the accused’s vehicle. “He suffered catastrophic injuries and was immediately found to be unresponsive and not breathing.” In an attempt to avoid the collision, Mr. Muller lost control of his motorcycle, striking a kerb and falling to the ground, which resulted in injuries to himself. Defence counsel Tony Lenehan KC conveyed that his client’s regret regarding the event was “enormous.” He explained that Huang had been driving on a segment of the A9 that was a dual carriageway, but approximately two miles before the accident location, it transitioned into a single road. She believed she was still on a divided carriageway section and moved into the opposing lane to overtake traffic, under the impression that the lane was designated for southbound vehicles.