A woman who suffered a perforated liver when her car rolled more than 100ft in a horror crash caused by her own carelessness has been spared a driving ban.
Heidi Ogbuke’s vehicle4 careered off the B999 Pitmedden to Potterton road into a field after she smashed into another motorist who was signalling to turn right.
The 25-year-old had just pulled out in an attempt to overtake two cars in front of her after they started to slow down.
But she did not realise they were preparing to allow the grey Volvo C30 she eventually hit to turn into the Hillbrae junction.
It was only as she was approaching the Volvo as it turned that she realised she had made a serious error – and ended up ploughing into the side of the car.
Ogbuke’s white Hyundai i10 struck the other vehicle with such force it ripped its wheel off and sent her car flying into a field.
The crash left her with such serious injuries she had to spend 10 days in hospital having suffered a serious liver injury and bruised lungs, which left her coughing up blood.
Yesterday, the newlywed appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court due to go on trial accused of dangerous driving.
However, the Crown accepted her plea to the lesser charge of driving carelessly.
The court heard the accident happened around 7.50am on March 10.
Fiscal depute Stephanie Ross said Ogbuke had been positioned third in a line of four cars which was travelling towards the Hillbrae junction in Aberdeenshire.
Miss Ross said the two cars in front of Ogbuke started to brake as the vehicle at the head of the line was preparing to turn right.
However, as Ogbuke could not see the Volvo signalling she pulled out and crashed into it as it turned.
She was not speeding at the time of the collision.
Miss Ross said the Hyundai rolled for more than 130ft before it came to a stop.
Ogbuke was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and admitted to its high dependency unit.
The court heard that since the incident Ogbuke, of Smithy Croft, Ythanbank, Ellon, had not driven or had a car.
Sheriff Kenneth Stewart said his view was that the incident had been the result of a “split-second bad decision” and that he would allow her to keep her licence.
The sheriff fined the coffee shop worker £300 and imposed five penalty points.