Recovery truck driver cleared of careless driving after pedestrian died following Hamilton town centre collision

A recovery truck driver has been cleared of careless driving after a pedestrian died following a collision in Hamilton town centre.

The woman, 65, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries but died five days later.

She had been using a walking aid to cross Townhead Street when she was struck by Tom Bennett’s vehicle at about 1.30pm on August 16, 2021.

Bennett, 67, Largs, Ayrshire, was accused of causing her death by careless driving.

It was alleged that he failed to keep proper observation at a roundabout when he turned from Miller Street into Townhead Street.

The driver denied the charge and stood trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

The jury took just under 20 minutes to return a unanimous not guilty verdict.

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