A former Ross County and Highland League player has been convicted of dangerous driving after seriously injuring a friend while giving him a lift home from the pub.
Steven Ross’ car ended up on its roof after crashing into a fence and trees on February 2 2019, Inverness Sheriff Court was told.
The 28-year-old had been at a birthday party in the Vodka Revolution bar in Inverness and said he would give his friend a lift home to Tain.
Ross – who made 25 appearances for Ross County between 2011 and 2015 and has also turned out for Brora, Buckie Thistle, Forres and Dumbarton – admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Dangerous driver ‘travelling at excessive speed’
Fiscal depute Susan Love said that as Ross came on to the Tore roundabout travelling at excessive speed he turned left towards Muir of Ord.
She said: “A short distance later he lost control, his vehicle overturned and crashed into a fence and trees.
“The car ended up on its roof in a field. Other motorists stopped to assist.”
She added that his passenger suffered a collapsed lung, a fractured collar bone and other more minor injuries.
“He has since made a full recovery,” Ms Love told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald.
Sentence was deferred on Ross, of New Street, Shandwick, until August 16 for a background report.
