Drink-driver caused fatal crash

The High Court in Edinburgh, where the case was heard

A speeding drink-driver caused the deaths of two people by overtaking a line of traffic in a high performance car, a jury has been told.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that David Marshall, from Buckhaven in Fife, said immediately afterwards "this is all my fault".

Marshall admitted causing the deaths by driving dangerously at excessive speed while under influence of alcohol.

The 30-year-old pipefitter will be sentenced next month.

Marshall was driving his Subaru on the A955 Methilhaven Road towards Buckhaven last April, when he came across a line of about five cars and overtook them.

Drivers in that line speak to being startled by the noise as he went past Alastair Brown Advocate depute

He hit a car being driven by Ross Bennett, 28, from Methill, who was killed instantly.

Marshall's passenger, 38-year-old David Smart from East Wemyss, also died.

At the point where the crash, happened Marshall was in a 30mph zone, but investigators estimate his car was travelling at up to 85mph.

Advocate depute Alastair Brown said: "Drivers in that line speak of being startled by the noise as he went past."

Maximum sentence

Other drivers thought it was "touch and go" whether he would avoid a head-on crash with a vehicle coming out of Buckhaven.

A paramedic from Wales who was on holiday rushed to the scene from a nearby pub but there was nothing he could do for either victim.

Defence counsel Edgar Prais said the crash was "a terrible tragedy" which Marshall deeply regretted.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.