Ex-Fife College lecturer admits causing death of couple in drink-driving crash

A former college lecturer caused the deaths of a husband and wife in a head-on crash while drink-driving following a Christmas party.

Sophie Hynd, 33, pleaded guilty to causing the deaths of Jatinder Kaur, 48, and her husband Satwant Singh, 64, in a crash on the B981 in Cluny, Fife, on 19 December 2025.

A boy was also seriously injured in the incident.

Hynd wept as she was remanded in custody at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, having admitted causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

She admitted causing her car to drive into the path of an oncoming vehicle "whilst impaired by alcohol".

In a statement released via law firm Digby Brown, the couple's three children said: "We could never have prepared for losing our parents in this way.

"Mum was always there for us, whether we needed her advice, reassurance or someone to talk to, she always made things better.

"She was incredibly funny, kind and loved by so many people, and always made time for anyone who needed her.

"Nothing was ever too much trouble for dad, he loved mum and us more than anything.

"He was our role model and taught us the importance of working hard and looking after the people we love.

"It's incredibly difficult to accept they won't be there to share the important milestones in our lives.

"We will miss them more than words can express, but we'll carry their love and everything they taught us for the rest of our lives."

Judge Michael O'Grady KC described the offence as "very grave".

Advocate depute Lynsey Rodger said Hynd had been a lecturer at Fife College but has now lost her job.

The crash had taken place at night on the last day of the college term, with staff having joined a Christmas lunch before heading to pubs in Kirkcaldy.

Ms Rodger said Hynd, who lived in Kirkcaldy, had been drinking alcohol including cider, spritz, Prosecco and possibly a Guinness shot.

The prosecutor said: "The accused was described as 'pretty merry' by one colleague and 'pretty drunk' by another."

She said Hynd decided to leave at around 10.30pm and was seen to be unsteady on her feet. After arriving at home, she then decided to go to her boyfriend's house.

At the same time, Ms Kaur was making deliveries in the family's Volkswagen Polo with her husband and others.

Other motorists called 999 after seeing the Nissan Qashqai driven by Hynd moving erratically and swerving into the opposing carriageway.

Ms Rodger said: "The accused's vehicle crashed head-on, which caused both vehicles to come to a stop."

Read more from Sky News:
Two dead and several injured after apartment block shooting
Six police officers sacked after racism complaint

Others who had seen Hynd's erratic driving stopped to try and help, with emergency crews later arriving at the scene.

The court was told Ms Kaur was unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene at around 11pm.

Her husband was in a critical condition and was taken to hospital where he was stabilised, however, medics later said his injuries were "not survivable", and he was pronounced dead on 21 December.

The prosecutor said at the scene of the crash, Hynd "smelled of alcohol and appeared to not know she had been in a collision".

When told she had been in a crash, she denied drinking and asked if everyone was alright and if she had hurt or killed anyone.

Defence lawyer Ewen Roy said Hynd "recognises her actions had devastating consequences which weigh on her heavily".

Judge O'Grady told her: "You understand the charge you have pled guilty to is very grave indeed. You have left in your wake a dead husband and wife."

Hynd will be sentenced next month.

(c) Sky News 2026: Ex-Fife College lecturer admits causing death of couple in drink-driving crash