A young dad has admitted causing a horrific crash which left his partner dead and three others — including his two young children — seriously hurt.
Perth Sheriff Court heard how a family trip to the Enchanted Forest at Pitlochry ended in tragedy, when Brian Hampson lost control of his car on the A9 near Luncarty.
His silver Honda Civic spun into the path of an oncoming van at a near 90 degree angle.
Rosyth man Hampson, who turns 30 on Wednesday, admitted causing partner Kimberley Robertson’s death by driving without due care and attention on the night of October 13, 2016.
Sheriff William Wood deferred sentence on Hampson, telling him he needed to weigh up several factors before deciding his fate.
The court heard Hampson and Ms Robertson, 31, had been in a relationship for 18 months and lived together in Queensferry Road, Rosyth.
Paramedics spent 20 minutes battling to revive Ms Robertson at the roadside, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death was later recorded as a blunt force trauma.
Hampson’s seven-year-old daughter suffered a fractured skull and cuts to her forehead. She underwent emergency surgery and was given a blood transfusion.
His son, aged five, was left with a broken leg, just above the knee, and cuts to his face.
The driver of the van, 70-year-old Gerald Rogers, suffered several cuts and bruises, four broken ribs, a broken sternum, internal bleeding and a cardiac contusion. He spent 10 days in the high dependency unit.
Depute fiscal David Barclay said spray painter Hampson had no previous convictions and a clean driving licence.
“The accused together with his partner and his two children were travelling north on their way to the Enchanted Forest,” he said.
“Their ticket was for the 9pm display and they were en route with plenty of time to spare.
“At about 7.25pm, witnesses noticed the accused’s car lights moving from side to side and that his car appeared to have lost control within its own side of the carriageway.
“Suddenly, it crossed into the opposing carriageway at an almost 90 degree angle, directly into the path of Mr Roger’s van.
“Mr Rogers had no time to react and his van struck the nearside of the accused’s car with a significant intrusion into the accused’s front nearside passenger compartment.”
He said: “Both vehicles spun round before coming to a halt and both were badly damaged.
“The whole incident, from start to finish, was over in a matter of seconds.”
The court heard Hampson refused to comment when interviewed under caution at Kirkcaldy police station.
Mr Barclay said collision investigators ruled out any blame on Mr Rogers’ part.
“However, the reason for the loss of control is unknown,” he said.
Hampson was released on bail and given an interim driving ban. He will return to court for sentence on April 17.
