An elderly pensioner is to face trial by jury accused of causing the death of a mother-of-two in Perthshire during a charity cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
Sally Preece was a week into the nine-day Deloitte Ride Across Britain challenge when she was involved in an accident with a car driven by 77-year-old Kenneth McClelland on the A85 at Glen Ogle, near Killin, on September 12 last year.
The 49-year-old endurance athlete, from Cheltenham, was taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital but died the next day.
Mrs Preece, who worked for Lloyds Bank, was raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society and was taking part in the 969-mile ride when the tragedy occurred.
Her online fundraising target was £4,000, but over £25,000 has been raised in tribute.
At Stirling Sheriff Court today, it was alleged that McClelland, from Largs, caused her death by careless driving.
It is alleged that he “failed to maintain proper observations” and overtook when it was not safe to do so.
According to the indictment, he caused his four-door Volvo saloon to “enter into the opposing carriageway and strike” Mrs Preece, whereby she sustained serious and fatal injuries.
Sheriff William Gilchrist continued the case for trial on December 7, with a preliminary hearing on November 19.
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