Five people including a child were hurt in a horror two-car crash after a deer ran on to the road in Shotts.
The driver of one vehicle and a passenger had to be cut free and were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard their Vauxhall Viva had hit a deer and a Nissan Juke that couldn’t stop in time ploughed into the back of their car.
Nissan driver David Forbes was fined £400 and handed nine penalty points.
He admitted driving carelessly on Benhar Road, Shotts, on August 5 last year.
Morag McLintock, prosecuting, said the collision happened about 2.30pm after a deer ran from woods into the path of the Vauxhall.
She told the court: “The female driver applied her brakes but still hit the deer.
“The accused failed to stop in time and collided with the rear of her vehicle.
“The female driver fractured five bones in her lower back and had slight bleeding on the brain. She was allowed home from hospital after three days. A male passenger was airlifted to hospital for urgent treatment to a broken leg.
“He was released after nine days.
“Two other females, one being a girl aged 15, were treated in hospital for minor neck, back and rib injuries.”
Forbes, 55, of Main Street, Forth, suffered a fractured sternum and internal bleeding.
He said he didn’t see the deer but admitted driving too close to the vehicle in front.
His lawyer, Mathew McGovern, said: “The speed limit on this road is 60 and there is no suggestion he was doing more than that.
“It was a loss of concentration on his part.”
Mr McGovern said his client, a welfare rights officer, has a clean licence and needs his car for work. The solicitor urged Sheriff Liam Murphy not to disqualify him.
The sheriff agreed that Forbes should be allowed to keep his licence, imposing penalty points instead.
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