A lorry driver has admitted killing a former Perth and Kinross councillor in a horror crash.
Keith Murray ploughed into Barbara Vaughan’s car after he failed to react to a traffic queue in December 2017.
Two passing doctors tried to help the stricken 77-year-old, but she died days later in hospital.
Murray could now face jail after he this week pled guilty to causing death by careless driving at the High Court in Glasgow.
The 49-year-old will be sentenced next month.
The smash happened on the A9 southbound near Blair Atholl on December 1, 2017.
Barbara – once a well-known Conservative councillor in the area – was travelling in her Renault Megane that afternoon.
Murray was on the A9 meantime working as a long distance HGV driver.
Prosecutor Angela Gray told how roadworks caused a “long line” of traffic.
As a result, motorists – including Barbara – had to stop.
But, one driver noticed Murray approaching in his Mercedes lorry and appearing not to slow down.
Miss Gray said: “For some unknown reason, he failed to react to the stationary traffic.”
He crashed into the widow’s car causing it to hurtle down an embankment.
Barbara became trapped in her upturned vehicle. Two doctors in the area raced out to her aid.
The pensioner was eventually freed and airlifted to hospital in Dundee.
She had several broken ribs and cuts to her leg.
Barbara’s condition tragically worsened after suffering a collapsed lung and she died on December 4.
The court heard it was concluded Murray had failed to react in a manner expected of a “careful” driver.
His lawyer Barry Smith told the court: “He is anxious that I should record his sincere regret and that his driving resulted in such a tragic loss of life.”
Lord Arthurson banned Murray, of Jarrow, South Tyneside, from driving meantime.
Bail was continued meantime.
In February this year it was revealed a service for young carers was to be set up in Barbara’s memory.
The former councillor had been a leading figure in education across Tayside for decades and served as the education spokesperson for the Conservative group in the 10 years she was a councillor.
Her passion for education saw her awarded an OBE.
Among her many interests, Barbara was also a trustee at Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
