A north-east lorry driver is to stand trial charged with hitting and killing a nursery teacher who was walking on the pavement.
John O’Donnell, of Inverurie, allegedly struck Chloe Morrison, 26, near Drumnadrochit in the Highlands on October 25 2019.
It is said the 52-year-old travelled to there from Kilmuir Cemetery on the Isle of Skye.
Prosecutors claim it is there O’Donnell unlocked and used the “outrigger legs” on the loader of the HGV when he was not trained or licenced to do so.
The indictment alleges during the journey from Skye he repeatedly failed to spot these parts were “insecure”.
It is said on the A82 at Drumnadrochit one of the legs was “protruding” and almost hit someone.
On the same road, it is then claimed it ended up locked in position and “fully extended”.
The charge states Chloe was struck while on the pavement and that O’Donnell drove over her leg.
She was said to have been so severely injured that she died.
A hearing took place today where O’Donnell’s QC Tony Graham pled not guilty on his behalf to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
Lady Stacey fixed a trial due to begin on August 8 2022 in Inverness.
O’Donnell remains on bail.
Following Chloe’s death local councillor Margaret Davidson said: “Everyone is absolutely staggered that this has happened.
“Chloe and her family are very well respected and are very much at the heart of the local community in Drumnadrochit and the wider area.
“Everyone is feeling this loss – it is just dreadful.”
