A German tourist has been found guilty of killing a motorist in the United Kingdom after driving on the incorrect side of a motorway. Matthias Hunecke, 49, was on holiday with his wife in Scotland when the incident occurred in July 2022. The couple had visited Invermiston Falls, a scenic location near Inverness. Disturbing CCTV footage captured the moment Hunecke drove their hired car out of the car park and directly into oncoming traffic on the A82 carriageway.
Details of the Incident
Hunecke continued to travel in the wrong lane for over 300 metres before colliding with a Ducati motorcycle ridden by Michael Gall, 51. The impact caused Gall to fall to the ground, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. During the trial at the High Court in Inverness, Hunecke, described as a "serial entrepreneur," claimed he could not recall driving on the wrong side of the road. However, he admitted that he "got a shock" upon realising his error and moved to the correct lane.
Testimony and Court Proceedings
Both Hunecke and his wife testified that the crash occurred shortly after she had asked him to move closer to the roadside so she could discard an apple core onto the grass verge. Hunecke also indicated that he believed the collision was the fault of Mr Gall, a "devoted father," asserting that Gall had been in the wrong lane. Mrs Hunecke broke down in tears while describing the event in court. She stated that the couple had taken a ferry from Amsterdam to Newcastle, rented a red MG car, and travelled to Scotland. They had stayed in Invergordon the night before the crash and were en route to Rothes when the accident happened. She mentioned that they were having a "usual conversation" as they left the car park, and she was looking for a suitable spot to stop and take photographs. "After I threw the apple, everything went so fast," she added, before becoming emotional.
Defence counsel David Moggach KC asked whether she had seen Mr Gall hit anything, to which she replied, "I think I closed my eyes, I can't tell." She also noted that a driver of a black car stopped to assist the couple in providing first aid to Mr Gall. When asked if she had noticed her husband driving on the wrong side, she responded, "I just wasn't aware. I was just being in thought, having a good day."
Verdict and Sentencing
Despite Hunecke's assertions that Mr Gall was at fault, a jury deliberated for just three hours before convicting Hunecke of dangerous driving. Following the verdict, Judge Bain KC addressed Hunecke, stating that he had ended the life of Mr Gall, who had 22 years of motorcycle experience. "Video footage shows him driving carefully with respect for other road users. The same cannot be said for you. You exited the car park on the wrong side of the road and continued. His life was prematurely and tragically brought to an end, and he will never again return to his family. You will have to live with the devastating consequences—but live you will—unlike Michael." Hunecke was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on June 19 at the High Court in Dundee. Mr Gall's family described the guilty verdict as "a relief and a vindication."
