Caithness death crash charge found not proven
A 57-year-old gas engineer has been found not proven on a charge of careless driving and causing the death of a motorcyclist.
The jury at Anthony Palmer's trial at Wick Sheriff Court returned a majority verdict.
Offshore worker Brent Larnach, 28, from Mid Clyth, died at the scene of the crash on the A99 near Thurmster in Caithness on 28 April last year.
Mr Palmer, of Wick, had plead not guilty on indictment to the charge.
It alleged he had failed to keep a proper lookout when he was turning his van right into the access road to a house at Borrowston on the A99.
The court heard that Mr Larnach's bike crashed into the side of the van. Witnesses said the motorcyclist had been travelling in excess of the 60mph speed limit.
Mr Palmer told the court that he had carried out all the necessary checks to ensure a safe manoeuvre, and that the motorbike was upon him so suddenly there was no time to avoid a collision.