This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8331647.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sneeze crash lorry driver jailed Sneeze crash lorry driver jailed
(40 minutes later)
A lorry driver who claimed he sneezed moments before a fatal crash has been jailed for four years at the High Court in Edinburgh. A gas tanker driver who claimed he sneezed moments before a fatal crash has been jailed for four years at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Shane Fraser had earlier been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving by a jury's unanimous verdict.Shane Fraser had earlier been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving by a jury's unanimous verdict.
The 44-year-old, from Inverness, had denied the charge.The 44-year-old, from Inverness, had denied the charge.
Nurse Melainey Rose, 36, also of Inverness, died when her car was in a collision with Fraser's lorry on the A9 in December 2007.Nurse Melainey Rose, 36, also of Inverness, died when her car was in a collision with Fraser's lorry on the A9 in December 2007.
Judge Lord Menzies said the crash not only claimed Ms Rose's life, but had left her mother and two other people injured.Judge Lord Menzies said the crash not only claimed Ms Rose's life, but had left her mother and two other people injured.
He said: "All of this, and the death of Melainey Rose, was caused by your dangerous driving."He said: "All of this, and the death of Melainey Rose, was caused by your dangerous driving."
Hospital appointmentHospital appointment
Defence advocate Shahid Latif said Fraser was remorseful for his actions.Defence advocate Shahid Latif said Fraser was remorseful for his actions.
He said: "He asks me to apologise to the family of those who have been impacted by what occurred that day either directly or indirectly."He said: "He asks me to apologise to the family of those who have been impacted by what occurred that day either directly or indirectly."
Fraser, who had no previous convictions, was also banned from driving for five years.Fraser, who had no previous convictions, was also banned from driving for five years.
Ms Rose had been taking her 62-year-old mother home from a hospital appointment when she died in the crash near the Cromarty Bridge in the Highlands.Ms Rose had been taking her 62-year-old mother home from a hospital appointment when she died in the crash near the Cromarty Bridge in the Highlands.
During his trial at the High Court in Inverness, Mr Fraser said he had sneezed hard and jerked up out his seat before falling back into it.During his trial at the High Court in Inverness, Mr Fraser said he had sneezed hard and jerked up out his seat before falling back into it.
He said he then heard a loud crash, adding: "I actually thought the tanker had been blown up."He said he then heard a loud crash, adding: "I actually thought the tanker had been blown up."
Mr Fraser said he grabbed the steering wheel and the next thing he knew the accident had happened.Mr Fraser said he grabbed the steering wheel and the next thing he knew the accident had happened.
When questioned as to how it had happened he told the jury: "The one thing I put it down to was the jerk and the sneeze."When questioned as to how it had happened he told the jury: "The one thing I put it down to was the jerk and the sneeze."
Mr Fraser denied falling asleep at the wheel, using a mobile phone, drinking and driving or being in any way distracted at the time of the accident.Mr Fraser denied falling asleep at the wheel, using a mobile phone, drinking and driving or being in any way distracted at the time of the accident.