A driver who left cyclists with lifelong injuries by ploughing into the heart of their peloton during a club run has been banned from driving.Melissa McKelligott, 44, ignored a Give Way sign and smashed into several of the eight-strong group out riding for the Dundee Wheelers club.
She hit and injured three of the cyclists and caused severe injuries to two of them including forcing one rider to undergo a hip replacement.One cyclist described how she was catapulted through the air and suffered serious injuries which forced her to miss the Scottish Championship a week later.
Perth Sheriff Court was told today that McKelligott was so distressed by the carnage she caused that she was unable to look at her victims.McKelligott, who was driving on a temporary US licence in Scotland, was banned for 93 weeks and ordered to carry out 225 hours unpaid work in the community.
She admitted driving carelessly and crashing into three cyclists near Rait in the Carse of Gowrie on 27 July last year. She admitted causing serious injury to Brian Barr, 54, and Helen Wall, 29.The court was told that the cyclists were part of a larger group undertaking a ride through the Perthshire countryside when the accident happened.Fiscal depute Sam Craib said: "At about 6.45 pm the accused's black Mini Cooper travelled through the junction at a Give Way sign.
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