A Monifieth man was killed moments after leaving a Father’s Day family event by a motorist driving like he had a “death wish”, a court has heard.
Peter MacMillan, 52, left his elderly parents’ home in the town shortly before his vehicle was struck by a Renault Clio being driven by Stuart Matchett.
The 44-year-old Matchett had been seen speeding and overtaking multiple cars in the lead-up to the crash at the junction of Bank Street and Ferry Road.
Mr MacMillan’s relatives, Simon and Lesley MacMillan, rushed to help their stricken relative, who was trapped in his Renault Scimitar.
Meanwhile, Matchett ditched his “significantly damaged” car and walked to his mother’s house, after briefly returning to the accident scene.
Father-of-one Mr MacMillan died at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee two days later, on June 23 2020.
Matchett initially denied any wrongdoing.
Police said he appeared to be “unconcerned and uninterested” and showed “little remorse”.
‘Death wish’
The story emerged on Friday at the High Court in Edinburgh after Matchett, also of Monifieth, pled guilty to causing Mr MacMillan’s death by driving dangerously.
Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC told the court Mr MacMillan was married to Jennifer and had one son, 17-year-old Daniel.
The advocate depute said he went to visit his dad John, 84, and his mum Joyce, 82, for Father’s Day.
At around 1.20pm, he and his relatives Simon and Lesley MacMillan left his parents’ home.
He was at the junction of Ferry Road and Bank Street when the collision happened.
One witness said that the car was going so fast it was like he had a death wish.”
Prosecutor, Alex Prentice QC
Mr Prentice said: “Simon and Lesley MacMillan saw a black Renault Clio vehicle driven by the accused at excessive speed.
“They saw the Clio overtake two cars whilst travelling on the wrong side of the road.
“They then saw it carry out a further overtake, again overtaking two cars.
“They immediately thought the Clio motor car was going too fast and was not going to be able to stop.
“They then saw the Clio car collide with Mr McMillan’s vehicle, striking it on the driver’s side.
“Several other eyewitnesses observed this and all said that the accused’s vehicle was travelling at excessive speed.
“One witness said that the car was going so fast it was like he had a death wish.”
Died in hospital
Mr Prentice said Simon and Lesley rushed to their relative’s car and found him lying inside it, trapped.
He was “very groggy” and his breathing was “laboured”.
Paramedics arrived and initially thought Mr MacMillan had no life-threatening injuries.
However, his condition changed quickly and doctors at Ninewells Hospital performed a CT scan.
They found that he had suffered serious brain injuries.
Refused to co-operate with police
Meanwhile, Matchett returned to his mother Patricia Matchett’s home on foot.
Mr Prentice said: “She noted that he appeared agitated and that he was carrying a tracksuit top she had seen him wearing when he had left a short time earlier.
“He asked if he could take her car and she refused.”
Police examined the damaged Clio and found Matchett’s bank card.
Mr Prentice said: “At 14.05 hours, they attended the house, where they were met by the accused and his mother Patricia.
“She appeared upset and immediately informed officers that she was concerned as the accused had left their home earlier that day in his motor vehicle but had returned on foot.
“At this point the accused told his mother to be quiet and denied owning a car.”
Matchett, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2006, refused to say who had been driving his car in the collision and denied any knowledge of what had happened or ever having driven the vehicle.
Mr Prentice said: “The officers noted the accused appeared unconcerned and uninterested in the circumstances and showed little remorse at that time.”
He later twice failed to attend at the police station for interview.
Sentence deferred
Judge Lord Beckett was told Matchett had received medication for his condition but has not taken it in “some time”.
Mr Prentice added: “His mother also advises more recently the accused’s behaviour was extremely anti-social and that he would isolate himself in his room and rarely engage in conversation with anyone.
“It appears his condition worsened after the collision.”
Lord Beckett remanded Matchett and deferred sentence until August 19 for reports.
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