Scots police officer killed mum-of-three while speeding in patrol van

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A police officer has admitted killing a woman after he struck her while speeding in his patrol van.

PC Jamie Hamill, 32, fatally injured Margaret McCarron, 58, in Motherwell, Lanarkshire. He had been driving a marked Ford Transit when he collided with her in September 2021.

McCarron was rushed to University Hospital Wishaw for treatment but passed away a short time after arriving. Hamill, of Strathaven, Lanarkshire, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted causing death by careless driving.

Prosecutors said he was driving at 39mph in a 30mph zone when he hit McCarron as she tried to cross Merry Street near her home to visit a nearby garage. The court heard Hamill and a colleague had been heading for Bellshill to make inquiries about a car that had been flagged as not having valid insurance when tragedy struck.

Prosecutors said Hamill had been on patrol when the car had been spotted. He had turned the police van around and made off in the direction of the vehicle with his blue lights on. The patrol hits speeds of 52mph but lost sight of the car but after checking the registration decided to visit an address in Bellshill to question the owner.

But as they made their way through Motherwell having switched off their emergency lights they collided with McCarron around 8.15pm.

Depute fiscal Niall MacLeod said: "The accused got out of the van to help Margaret McCarron, he gave her CPR. The accused radioed for help and was heard to say 'someone walked in front of the van'. A midwife who was passing also helped before paramedics arrived."

McCarron was rushed to hospital but could not be saved despite the efforts of doctors. A post mortem recorded her cause of death as severe chest and neck injuries. The court was told tests had shown she had been drinking before the accident but her husband denied she had been drunk.

The prosecutor said Hamill, who had 18 months service with the force, had been 'visibly upset' after the incident and had shown negative test results for alcohol and drugs. He said experts had agreed the lights from oncoming cars could have impacted his ability to see McCarron on the road.

Grieving members of McCarron's family left the court as CCTV footage from the incident was played. Murdo MacLeod KC, defending, said Hamill had shown 'genuine remorse' over the incident.

He said: "After the collision Mr Hamill did everything he could to try and help save her life."

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In a statement issued through law firm Digby Brown, the McCarron family said: "We welcome the conviction however we remain frustrated it has taken this long to secure.

"That police officer could have admitted his guilt far earlier and saved our family from the added trauma of these unnecessary and unjust delays. We therefore hope the pending sentence will reflect the seriousness of his failures, the significance of our loss and the importance of police officers following the laws they are meant to enforce."

Sheriff Louise Gallacher deferred sentence on Hamill for reports until December 18 and continued bail. He was disqualified from driving meantime.

Police Scotland were approached for comment.

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