A DONEGAL man on trial for dangerous driving in Co Louth and causing his friend's death was "veering" and driving "erratically" immediately before he collided with an oncoming car, a court has heard.
Oliver Shovelin (32), Clondallon, Rathmullen, has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of John Sheridan and also causing bodily harm to Deirdre O'Brien at Cookstown, Ardee, on July 11, 2004.
Aidan Sutton, a firefighter from Armagh, said he was driving his family to Dublin to see a football match when he noticed a white van pull abruptly in behind him.
He told prosecuting counsel, Fergal Foley BL, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court: "It was veering at this stage. It was actually quite scary to watch."
Mr Sutton said he was glad when this vehicle pulled out to overtake him and his brother-in- law who was travelling in the car in front. His wife screamed when they saw he was only six inches from the leading car before he moved into the hard shoulder on the right of the road.
"Everyone in the car was fearing for the worst. I was praying he went off the road so as to avoid a collision."
Mr Sutton said this continued for about 10 seconds until the van pulled back into the wrong lane causing oncoming traffic to swerve to avoid him. He then saw a VW Golf swerve and collide head on with the van throwing the horse box it was towing into the air.
He told Mr Foley that, following the crash, the van was overturned on the hard shoulder with Mr Shovelin and Mr Sheridan unconscious in their seats and the VW Golf was turned around in the middle of the road.
Dr Ralph Horey, the doctor on call at St Brigid's Hospital, Ardee, said he pronounced Mr Sheridan dead at the scene from a suspected broken neck, while the accused was unconscious with serious injuries to his head and chest.
Mr J K Nasser, an orthopaedic surgeon, told Mr Foley he received Mr Shovelin and the driver of the Golf, Ms O'Brien, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
He said Ms O'Brien had multiple fractures to her legs and "was lucky she didn't lose her life". He said Mr Shovelin's skull was exposed from a head injury and he suffered brain damage but had since made a good recovery.
The trial continues before Judge Tony Hunt and a jury of eight men and four women.