Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Drinkdriver found guilty after hit-and-run crashes
ANDREW Wheelan, a 59-year-old from Greenacres, Scone, was found guilty of dangerous driving after a series of incidents that led to a severe crash on the A90.
On December 21 2023, Wheelan, who had two empty wine bottles in his car, was seen buying two bottles of whisky from a shop on Perth Road in Perth.
Wheelan appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and pled guilty to dangerous driving from Perth Road to the A90 at Kinfauns.
He also admitted failing to report two accidents to police within 24 hours.
Fiscal depute Duncan Mckenzie said Wheelan pulled up outside shops on Perth Road just after 5pm, where he was observed going into the Co-op and purchasing two bottles of whisky.
Shortly after, he began driving erratically, reversing into a Ford Ranger and then speeding away.
His reckless driving continued as he swerved across lanes, nearly causing several accidents.
At traffic lights, he failed to move when they turned green, and when he did drive off, his vehicle swerved dangerously and crossed the central line.
On merging on to the A90, Wheelan collided with a Toyota C-HR, which managed to stay on the road and instead of stopping, he overtook the Toyota and continued at speeds estimated between 90 and 100mph.
His driving worsened as he attempted to overtake a refrigerated lorry, which he hit, causing it to veer off the road.
He then spun out of control, striking the lorry again before coming to a halt off the carriageway.
Bystanders who stopped to help reported Wheelan admitted to being drunk.
Wheelan failed a roadside breath test and was taken to Ninewells.
Sheriff Clair Mclachlan told Wheelan: “You are very lucky not to have caused serious injury to yourself or others.”
She imposed a twoyear disqualification order and fined Wheelan £1,000.
He will be supervised for a year.