Third-time drink-driver left woman needing surgery after M74 crash

Gary Miller's flatbed van was hit by a Mercedes car whose driver suffered a broken leg in the collision.

Miller, 52, of Gilbertfield Street, Ruchazie, was ordered to pay £5000 compensation to the injured 29-year-old woman.

He must also do 250 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for five years.

Miller admitted causing serious injury by driving dangerously while under the influence of alcohol.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard he has two previous convictions for drink-driving.

Sheriff Colin Dunipace had warned him he could be jailed but, after studying background reports, decided on an alternative to custody.

We previously reported that Robbie McDougall, prosecuting, said the crash happened on the M74, near junction 9 in Lanarkshire, on February 28 last year.

Police officers were travelling north at 8.30pm when they noticed Miller's works van on the hard shoulder with its amber lights on.

Mr McDougall told the court: "The Ford Transit flatbed moved from the hard shoulder directly across lane one of the motorway with the driver failing to look out for approaching traffic.

"The Mercedes driver swerved into lane two but the van kept moving across and there was a head-on collision.

"There was substantial damage to both vehicles and the Mercedes was lodged under the flatbed section of the van.

"Lights fell from the back of the van and were scattered across the carriageway, hitting other vehicles."

The  Mercedes driver underwent surgery on her knee, which was broken in three places.

Her female passenger had treatment for a minor fracture to her spine.

Mr McDougall added: "The accused freely stated to police that he had been trying to do a u-turn on the motorway in order to reach his work site, located between junctions 9 and 10.

"He had been engaged in traffic management activities. He failed a roadside breath test."