Van driver was asleep when he caused fatal Scotland crash

A van driver has admitted he was ‘probably asleep’ when he crashed into the back of a stationary car, killing the 25-year-old driver.

Ion Rusu, 41, who was born in Romania but had been living in London, confessed to nodding off at the wheel when he killed Marek Majewski in April this year.

Mr Majewski was stopped on the A9 near Dunblane on April 20 when Rusu drove into the back of his vehicle at 48mph, forcing him into the articulated lorry in front.

Ion Rusu, 41, admitted killing 25-year-old Marek Majewski by slamming into his car as it sat stationary in traffic at this roundabout in April this year

Mr Majewski, a farm worker, was pinned against the steering column and died at the scene, while passenger Sylwia Biernat, 26, suffered severe spinal injuries.

After the crash self-employed Rusu told officers that his job required him to drive for up to 14 hours at a time between Scotland and England and he often felt tired.

The High Court in Glasgow was told that Rusu failed to react to stationary traffic on the approach to the roundabout and drove his Mercedes Sprinter van at speed into the back of Mr Majewski’s Honda Civic.  

Prosecutor Michael Meehan told the court: ‘About 6.20pm an articulated lorry approached the Kier roundabout and the driver encountered stationary traffic.

‘The driver brought his lorry to a standstill and Mr Majewski stopped half a car length behind the lorry.’ 

Ms Biernat said they sat there for a short while before their car was hit from behind. 

She told police there was no sound of skidding tyres or braking prior to the collision.

Mr Majewski, who was on his way to Glasgow Airport to pick up friends arriving from his native Poland, died at the scene at 6.49pm. 

The High Court in Glasgow heard Rusu had been sleeping in his van for weeks before the accident after losing his house in London and admitted he was 'probably asleep' at the wheel

The High Court in Glasgow heard Rusu had been sleeping in his van for weeks before the accident after losing his house in London and admitted he was ‘probably asleep’ at the wheel

Passenger Ms Biernat needed to undergo a spinal operation. She has ongoing pain in her legs and back and is unable to sit for any length of time.

Rusu was found in his van unconscious and slumped over the steering wheel.

A GPS tracking device fitted in Rusu’s van showed that at the moment of impact it was travelling at 48mph.

Investigators found no evidence that Rusu had tried to brake or carry out an evasive action prior to the crash.

When he was told by police that Mr Majewski had died, Rusu was extremely upset.

Mr Meehan added: ‘He told officers he no longer held a tenancy in London and had been sleeping in his van for a couple of months. 

‘He stated that he had possibly been sleeping at the time of the collision as his job required him to drive for up to 14 hours at a stretch.’

The court heard that Rusu held a full UK driving licence ands there were no defects on his van or the Honda Civic.

Judge Graeme Buchanan deferred sentence until next month at the High Court in Edinburgh for background reports on Rusu, who is in custody.

Defence counsel Drew McKenzie will give his plea in mitigation then.

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