Driver avoids jail after fatal pedestrian collision

A driver involved in a hit-and-run incident, who admitted to careless driving leading to the death of a pedestrian, has received a sentence of 300 hours of unpaid community service and a 27-month prohibition from driving. The pedestrian had stepped onto the road during an evening outing. Mohammad Rashid was operating his vehicle at 41mph within a 30mph speed limit area when he struck 36-year-old James Risk in Stenhousemuir. The collision occurred shortly after midnight on 11 March 2022. Mr Risk was pronounced dead at the location, having been propelled into the air and sustaining a fatal head injury upon impact with a kerb. The 29-year-old Rashid then accelerated away, reaching speeds of up to 46mph. He proceeded to his residence, located two-and-a-half miles distant, where he picked up his wife before both returned to the site of the incident. Sheriff Derek Hamilton remarked on the incident, stating: “It cannot be said this tragedy occurred due to a momentary lapse.“Your average speed was significantly over the speed limit.“You said you saw drunk people walking on the pavement, yet you took no steps to lower your speed or to distance yourself from the potential danger that those pedestrians might pose.“The circumstances were tragically straightforward and unfortunately all too common.” The sheriff further characterized Rashid’s conduct subsequent to the collision as “quite extraordinary”. Testimony at Stirling Sheriff Court revealed that Mr. Risk, who worked as a bricklayer, was making his way home from the bowling club in the company of his brother and friends. He moved from the pavement directly into the path of Rashid’s vehicle, resulting in him being propelled into the air and subsequently hitting his head on a kerb. A witness present at the scene expressed the opinion that Rashid likely had no opportunity to react. Prosecutor John Adams stated: “Mr Risk stepped onto the road in front of the car, resulting in Mr Rashid striking him from behind with the front nearside of the car.” Police investigators specializing in collisions observed that the accident site had “very good lighting conditions”. Their conclusion was that the incident stemmed from the excessive speed of Rashid’s car and the driver’s insufficient observation of potential hazards ahead of his vehicle. Furthermore, they pointed out that Mr. Risk was traversing the carriageway instead of the designated pavement. Defence lawyer Simon Hutchison commented: “In all my years of practice, I have never seen anyone so genuinely remorseful.”