A former police officer has admitted causing the death of his wife’s aunt in a head-on collision on the A737 in Ayrshire.
Andrew Hyams, 62, was driving 88-year-old Annie Sinclair between Kilwinning and Dalry on 9 January 2024 when he failed to negotiate a bend and veered into oncoming traffic. His car narrowly missed one vehicle before crashing directly into a van driven by Carl Egerton.
Ms Sinclair was rushed to hospital but died later that afternoon from severe chest injuries. Prosecutors told the High Court in Glasgow that the injuries were not survivable.
Mr Egerton suffered a fractured sternum, cuts and bruises, and was unable to work for six months. He later underwent surgery to have a metal plate fitted.
Hyams, a retired Merseyside police officer, was due to remarry his ex-wife the day after the crash. The court heard he had been driving her aunt to his home in Saltcoats at the time of the incident.
Prosecutor Erin Campbell said the cause of Hyams’ failure to steer properly into the left-hand bend remained unknown.
Defence lawyer Ian Duguid KC said his client felt deep remorse, noting that Ms Sinclair had been his wife’s “favourite relative”.
Hyams, who served 27 years in the police before retiring five years earlier, pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
Judge Lord Mulholland adjourned sentencing until next month.
