Driver convicted of killing five people in A96 crash
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An Italian motorist has been convicted of falling asleep at the wheel and causing a crash in Moray that killed five people including his own young son.
Alfredo Ciociola went on trial earlier this month at the High Court in Edinburgh accused of causing death by dangerous driving on July 26, 2018.
Following a majority verdict by the jury the 50-year-old was convicted yesterday for the lesser offence of causing death by careless driving.
Ciociola was in charge of a Fiat Talento minibus which collided with a Nissan X-Trail on the A96 between Keith and Huntly.
Three passengers were killed in the Nissan which had been travelling back from Elgin.
They were Ted Reid (63) from Macduff, and Evalyn Collie (69) and Audrey Appleby (70) who both lived in Aberchirder.
The two minibus passengers who lost their lives were Ciociola's four-year-old son Lorenzo and Frances Saliba Patanè (63).
A statement was released by Police Scotland following the court verdict.
Chief Inspector Andrew Barclay said: "This was an incredibly distressing incident which has impacted on so many lives since it happened four years ago.
"It is a stark example of the consequences of driving while unfit to do so safely.
"In this instance Alfredo Ciociola continued to drive, despite being tired and ultimately, he fell asleep at the wheel, leading to this tragedy.
"It shows how any lapse in concentration while driving can result in tragedy.
"The impact of this incident on everyone who responded on the day and also on the wider community cannot be underestimated.
"Most importantly I want to extend my sympathies to the families and everyone directly affected by the loss of the five people who died."
"You have been convicted of a serious charge, involving the deaths of five people, including your own son, and the serious injury of three people. It is a very serious matter."
Lord Mulholland ordered that Ciociola should be remanded in custody for the preparation of a background report ahead of sentencing next month.
The court heard that Ciociola had been driving a hired minibus while on holiday in Scotland with family and friends.
He was subsequently granted bail and returned home to Sicily, but then failed to appear for a trial last year.
His return to these shores was ultimately ordered by an Italian court.
During his trial Ciociola maintained that he had not fallen asleep at the wheel.
However other motorists told the court they had seen the minibus regularly brake and veer onto the wrong lane at bends before the collision occurred.
Morag Smith, who was driving the other vehicle, was amongst those severely injured.
Following the conviction she released a statement through Digby Brown Solicitors.
She said: "For the last four years Ciociola has never taken responsibility for his actions.
"I know he didn’t set out that day to kill anyone but he made such huge mistakes that it would fly in the face of justice and basic decency to let him walk free – that’s also why I never understood why he was even allowed to return home on bail.
"I therefore believe he deserves jail time.
"But even if he is jailed, no length of time behind bars will compare to what we have suffered.
"I suffered life-changing injuries and the loved ones of my partner and friends were forced to accept untimely losses.
"I struggle to take any positive from the outcome other than I can finally focus on my recovery, on my grief and on rebuilding some kind of future without the stress of a delayed prosecution hanging over me.
"Finally I would just like to thank everyone who has supported me since the accident and for the emergency services for their actions that night who I owe my life to."
Ciociola is due to be sentenced on December 13 at the High Court in Glasgow.
