A man who crashed into a taxi which injured the driver and his teenage passenger claimed he blacked out before the collision.
Salman Khan, 45, crashed into William Cusak’s people carrier in Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, on 13th May, 2022
Khan’s BMW veered onto the wrong side of the road at a bend and struck Mr Cusak’s vehicle, causing significant damage.
The 13-year-old girl – who was not wearing a seatbelt – suffered a string of injuries to her spleen, kidney and lost three teeth.
Mr Cusak – who was exempt from wearing a seatbelt – went to hospital for damaged blood vessels on a wound to his leg.
Diabetes sufferer Khan claimed he fainted for “two to three seconds” and regained consciousness just before the crash.
Khan stood trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court where he was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The security guard, of Paisley, Renfrewshire, was found not proven and acquitted of the charge by Sheriff John McCormick.
Khan had lodged a special defence of ‘automatism’ and claimed he had a ‘vasovagal episode’ linked to his blood pressure.
The court heard that Mr Cusak had picked up the 13-year-old girl from school that day to take her home.
Prosecutor Lauren Aitchison told jurors in her closing speech: “Mr Cusak said he was 20 yards away from the bend when Khan appeared on his side of the road – directly in front of him – and there was nothing he could do.
“He said the car should have steered round the bend and straightened up but instead it was on his side of the road.”
Another witness told the court that Khan had his hands on the wheel and his eyes were open before the collision.
Mr Cusak was taken to hospital where has treated for a head wound which required glass fragments to be removed.
He also required surgery on his leg wound which included repairing damaged blood vessels and closure of the injury.
The girl meantime sustained wounds to her spleen and left kidney and the loss of three upper teeth which required to be re-implanted.
The hearing was told that medics had “no concerns” about Khan’s presentation.
Khan attended hospital two hours later claiming that he was “sweaty and clammy.”
He told jurors in his evidence that he “blacked out” for “two to three seconds” before the collision.
Miss Aitchison asked: “Do you accept that you thought that it was your diabetes?”
Khan replied: “That’s the only thing that came to my mind as it had never happened before.”
Richard Freeman, defending, asked his client if “the only thing you could remember was coming around the corner and nothing else?”
Khan replied: “Yes.”