A Wishaw teen who died in a horror motorbike smash yesterday was awaiting trial for a savage attack on a schoolboy.
Crash victim Derek Paton, 19, had been charged with a brutal assault against a 15-year-old male, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
He and another man, who we also cannot name for legal reasons, were accused of assaulting the boy to the danger of his life after an incident in Wishaw, on March 7, 2020.
Both Paton and his co-accused denied the charges.
Paton passed away yesterday along with pal Leon Fitzpatrick, 18, after their scrambler collided with a van on Waverley Drive.
Derek died at the scene, while Leon later passed away in hospital.
Derek's death occurred before his case could go to trial.
Police and paramedics raced to the crash site in Wishaw yesterday and closed down the road after the alarm was raised.
Scores of police vehicles remained in the area overnight as accident investigation work was carried out.
A motorbike, which was extensively damaged, was pictured lying on the ground as forensic officers took pictures of the scene.
Family and friends of the pair have taken to social media to pay tribute to them.
Announcing Paton’s death, Police Scotland released a statement which reads: “Two teenagers have died following a road crash on Ryde Road in Wishaw on Thursday, 24 February.
"The incident happened around 4.30pm and involved an off-road motorcycle and a white Volkswagen Crafter van.
"The 19-year-old man rider of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene and an 18-year-old man, who had been riding as a pillion passenger, was taken to Wishaw General Hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.
"The 34-year-old driver of the van suffered minor injuries.
“The road was closed until around 11pm to allow an investigation at the scene.”
They are now urging anyone with information about the crash to get in touch, quoting incident 2032 of 25 February.
