Doped-up driver who killed a hero nurse as he cycled to work JAILED
A DOPED-UP driver who killed a hero nurse as he cycled to work has been jailed for two years.
Douglas Toshack, 51, was more than twice the cannabis[1] limit when he struck James Harrison, 36, with his truck and ran over him.
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Douglas Toshack was jailed for two years
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He was twice the cannabis limit when he ran over and killed Covid hero James Harrison with his truckCredit: Bobby GavinThe victim had been pedalling to Edinburgh[2] Royal Infirmary’s intensive care unit at the peak of the pandemic[3].
Toshack, who admitted he smoked the drug the night before the June 2020 smash, was found guilty last month of driving carelessly while under the influence of cannabis.
During a sentencing hearing at the High Court[4] in Edinburgh, Judge Lord Sandison rejected a plea to spare Toshack a jail term. Defence solicitor advocate Euan Gosney called the incident “tragic”, adding that Toshack was “completely devastated” by what happened and had shown genuine remorse.
Mr Gosney asked for him to be given community payback and restriction of liberty orders. But Lord Sandison said an impact statement from Mr Harrison’s widow had been truly heartbreaking.
The judge said it reflected “the devastation caused to two young children who will never see their father again”.
Caging Toshack, of Kelty, Fife, he told him: “The cause of Mr Harrison’s death was, first and foremost, your carelessness.”
He was also banned from driving for eight years. A trial at the same court heard Toshack failed to pay attention at a junction in Edinburgh and failed to see the ICU nurse on his bike.
A jury was told Mr Harrison yelled: “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” just moments before he was hit by the Mercedes[5] flatbed lorry.
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He died later that day at the same hospital[6] where he worked as a lead research nurse in cardiology.
Professor Alex McMahon, NHS[7] Lothian’s nursing chief, said: “James volunteered in our intensive care unit to support the Covid response, demonstrating his enduring commitment, compassion and determination to support both patients and staff.”
The superfit runner was a team boss at Corstorphine AAC and represented Great Britain at the triathlon.
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