A 45‑year‑old man from Dumbarton has been fined and banned from the road after admitting careless driving in a collision on Glasgow’s London Road that resulted in the death of a university lecturer.
Incident, victim and court outcome
The incident occurred on 25 March 2025 in the Calton area when the driver of a work van turned right towards a junction and into the path of a Mercedes taxi. The taxi was carrying a passenger, a 79‑year‑old woman who later died of chest and neck injuries.
At Glasgow Sheriff Court, the van driver, who had been taking his two daughters to a dance class, pleaded guilty to causing the woman’s death by careless driving. Sheriff Lorraine Glancy KC imposed a 12‑month driving disqualification and a financial penalty of £690.
Victim’s background and family statement
The passenger was an experienced academic, formerly a lecturer at the University of Strathclyde with a background in urban sociology and history. She had worked with housing associations in Glasgow and had previously lived in South Africa before returning to the UK.
Her children will "miss her very much."
Court reports state she had been shopping in John Lewis in the city centre earlier that day and was returning home by taxi.
Sequence of events and evidence before the court
The prosecution outlined that the van turned across the taxi’s path at the junction between London Road and Tobago Street. The van driver later said he believed a vehicle in another lane had signalled him forward, creating a gap which led him to make the turn.
- Defendant: Tomasz Roszak, 45, of Dumbarton.
- Charge: Causing death by careless driving (pleaded guilty).
- Penalty: £690 fine and 12‑month driving disqualification.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of collision | 25 March 2025 |
| Location | London Road / Tobago Street, Calton, Glasgow |
| Victim | 79‑year‑old former Strathclyde University lecturer |
Local impact and context
The case has resonated in both Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire because the driver lives locally and the victim was a well‑known figure in academic and community housing circles. The circumstances — including that the passenger was not wearing a seatbelt and fell to the floor of the taxi — underline the tragic consequences of road collisions for pedestrians, passengers and families.
The court record does not detail any custodial sentence. As a first offender, the driver received a financial penalty and a temporary ban from driving. The matter will remain a point of reflection for road safety advocates and for those who knew the victim through her academic and housing work in Glasgow.
For readers seeking further information about road safety guidance or support following road fatalities, local council and police websites provide signposts to services and advice for families affected by road traffic incidents.
