AN elderly aristocrat who caused a three-vehicle smash when she drove through a closed junction on her way to a morning gym session has spoken of her relief after being cleared of dangerous driving.

Lady Susan Zetland had already admitted the lesser charge of careless driving and was fined by a judge and had six penalty points added to her licence.

Warning: Video contains strong language

The 77-year-old was on her way to a hotel gym at Scotch Corner when she came to the Hargill junction close to 18th century Aske Hall in North Yorkshire, the family seat of her husband Lord Mark Dundas, the fourth Marquess of Zetland.

Although there were signs and cones showing the junction was not open for drivers turning right, she set out onto the A66 trans-Pennine trunk road, almost pulling into the path of an articulated lorry heading west.

The Northern Echo:

Lady Zetland, who had been on her way to the gym when the crash happened. Picture: Glen Minikin Photography

The Northern Echo:

Lady Zetland and her husband Lord Mark Dundas, the fourth Marquess of Zetland, outside Teesside Crown Court. Picture: Glen Minikin Photography

Attempting to turn right again in her blue £30,000 Subaru Outback 4x4 car, she pulled out, this time straight in front of an oncoming Nissan Qashqai.

It spun her across into the eastbound carriageway of the busy arterial route, where she was struck by an oncoming lorry.

The defendant escaped serious injury and later admitted to police that she had not been driving as carefully as she should.

The accident happened at 6.06am on July 4 last year.

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TRIAL: Lady Zetland outside Teesside Crown Court Picture: Glen Minikin Photography

Prosecutor Paul Newcombe had told a trial at Teesside Crown Court that her driving was worse than she admitted and the manoeuvre was dangerous.

But after deliberating for three hours, the jury rejected this, finding her not guilty of the more serious offence.

The jury had returned during their deliberations to ask if Lady Zetland had been using an automatic or manual vehicle, but Judge Howard Crowson said that was not included in the evidence and therefore it could not be answered.

The judge, who also allowed the jury to view again dashcam footage showing one of the collisions, also said they should not speculate as to the facts in the case.

Lady Zetland admitted to police that the seconds leading up to the crash “all became a bit fuzzy” in her memory.

She gave evidence in court, telling the jury: “I had been used to all the signs and notices being there and nothing happening. It seemed like forever, they had been there several weeks.

“The van in front of me went through and perhaps I just followed. I don’t remember pulling out, the next thing I remember was... bang!”

Rod Hunt, mitigating, said Lady Zetland had three penalty points on her driving licence from 2014 when she fell foul of a speed camera.

He said: “She admitted culpability in her police interview and with her pleas in the magistrates and crown court.

“She is very sorry for what she has done.”

Judge Crowson said he completely agreed with Lady Zetland’s decision.

He said: “It was a misjudgement, but fortunately no-one was seriously hurt.”

The judge fined her £500 and said six more points would be put on her licence.

Afterwards the 77-year-old said: “I am delighted and relieved of course. I have now got to be careful.”

She said she intended to carry on driving, adding: “Living where I do I cannot live without my car.”