A driver has admitted being responsible for the death of a man in a motorway crash.

Nicholas Williams is said to have struck William Johnston on the M74 near Larkhall, South Lanarkshire in November 2014.

Williams faced an allegation of causing the 60-year-old’s death by dangerous driving.

The 59-year-old entered a guilty plea to the reduced charge of causing the incident due to driving without care or attention.

But, prosecutors rejected that offer during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

Williams, of Bristol, will now stand trial next year.

The indictment alleges Williams travelled at “excessive speed” and did “repeatedly fall asleep” while behind the wheel.

Other claims include an accusation that he did “repeatedly change lanes without warning”.

Williams is said to have gone onto the hard shoulder, hitting Mr Johnston and a stationary vehicle.

Prosecutors state Mr Johnston, of Biggar, South Lanarkshire, was left so severely injured that he died.

A trial date was set for May next year.