Driver jailed after woman's death in motorbike crash

A car driver who caused the death of a biker after consuming drugs and alcohol has been jailed.

Mother-of-two Natalie Hawkins, 35, from Livingston, died at the scene on the A89 between Armadale and Westrigg on 11 August 2023.

Kyle Waddell, 23, from Falkirk, hit her head-on in his Toyota Celica. The law and business student was thrown from her Kawasaki bike.

Waddell admitted causing death by dangerous driving at the High Court in Glasgow and was jailed for four years and two months.

Waddell was also banned from driving for eight years and one month, and will need to sit an extended test before being allowed back on the road.

Waddell had been in a pub, before driving. The court heard that at one stage he quickly closed the gap on a vehicle in front.

Prosecutor Caroline Macbride said: "This other driver stated that when he saw the lights of the car approaching from behind, it appeared to be doing a fast speed between 70mph and 80mph."

Waddell was said to be within inches from hitting the other vehicle.

The Toyota then pulled out onto the other side of the road, and the other driver then spotted the biker.

Macbride said: "The Toyota was still on the opposing carriageway. The Toyota struck Natalie Hawkins head-on, throwing her from the motorcycle."

The Toyota came off the road and landed on its roof.

The court heard that Waddell later tested positive for cocaine and alcohol.

Ian McSporran KC, defending, said: "Nothing I can say on my client's behalf can mitigate or lessen the effect of his catastrophic driving which had catastrophic consequences.

"He is aware that by his actions he has destroyed a life and a family unit - none of that can be taken back."

Lady Drummond told Waddell: "Natalie had recently obtained her motorcycle licence and was described as a really careful motorcyclist who avoided busy roads.

"She would have had no reason to anticipate that you would drive towards her at speed and she had no opportunity to react."

The judge said: "You have effectively destroyed not only a life but a family and nothing I can do today can lessen their grief of their profound loss. In all the circumstances, there is no sentence other than imprisonment which is appropriate."

Relatives of the victim paid tribute, and said: "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.

"Natalie is an epitome of this quote and has left a void in the hearts of her two daughters and anyone who knew her."