Key Points
- Police Scotland named 51-year-old physical education teacher Daren Baillie as the pedestrian killed in a collision on the A92 near Freuchie.
- The crash happened around 11:50 pm on Thursday, 15 October 2026, and involved a red Suzuki Swift.
- Paramedics attended the scene, where Mr Baillie was pronounced dead.
- The female driver of the Suzuki Swift was not injured.
- In a tribute, Mr Baillie’s family described him as a “much-loved husband, dad, son, brother and friend” who left a huge void in their lives.
- He worked as a PE teacher in Fife for 30 years, focusing on supporting vulnerable pupils.
- Police Scotland asked witnesses or motorists with dashcam footage from the area to come forward.
FREUCHIE (Edinburgh Daily) October 19, 2026 – As reported by STV News reporter Ewan Petrie, emergency services were called to the scene on the A92 near Freuchie at around 11.50pm on Thursday, 15 October 2026, following reports of a severe collision between a pedestrian and a vehicle.
As reported by Daily Record journalist Sarah Vesty, police and ambulance crews attended the locus on the A92, where 51-year-old physical education teacher Daren Baillie was found gravely injured following the collision involving a red Suzuki Swift.
Despite the prompt response from paramedics who raced to the scene, Mr Baillie tragically died at the location. The female driver of the red Suzuki Swift involved in the collision was assessed at the scene and was found to be uninjured.
How Did Daren Baillie’s Family Pay Tribute to Him?
Following the formal identification by officers from Police Scotland, Mr Baillie’s family released a heartfelt statement expressing their grief and profound loss.
“We are devastated by Daren’s tragic death and wish to express our gratitude for the support received. Daren was a much-loved husband, dad, son, brother and friend whose sudden passing has left a huge void in the lives of all who knew him.”
His family highlighted his deep professional commitment to education across his three-decade career in the region.
“He spent 30 years as a PE teacher in Fife and took immense pride in the positive impact he had on his students, with a particular focus on supporting the most vulnerable learners to achieve their very best. We would like to thank the emergency services for their efforts and kindly ask for privacy as we mourn the loss of a dearly loved family member.”
What Are Police Scotland Investigating Regarding the Collision?
As reported by The Courier journalist Craig Smith, collision investigation officers from Police Scotland have launched a full inquiry to establish the precise circumstances surrounding the late-night incident.
Officers have closed portions of the road during the initial forensic investigation to piece together the events leading up to the collision.
Road Policing Sergeant David Keeney confirmed that inquiries are active and appealed directly to members of the public who may have been travelling in the area at the time.
Sergeant David Keeney stated that “Our thoughts remain with Daren’s family and friends at this difficult time. We are continuing to appeal for information and would ask anyone who witnessed the crash or may have dash-cam footage which could assist, to contact us as soon as possible.”
Anyone who possesses relevant information or dash-cam footage is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3622 of 15 October.
What Is the Background of Road Safety and Pedestrian Incidents on the A92?
The A92 is one of the key arterial trunk routes running through Fife, connecting major towns and villages across eastern Scotland.
Over recent years, several stretches of the route, particularly around rural junction crossings and settlements such as Freuchie, have been subject to ongoing road safety reviews by local transport authorities and Police Scotland.
Late-night visibility, speed management, and pedestrian safety infrastructure along rural single and dual-carriageway sections of the route have frequently formed part of local council traffic management discussions.
The sudden loss of a long-standing educator who served the Fife community for 30 years underlines the profound human cost associated with trunk road collisions in rural and semi-rural corridors.
What Is the Prediction for How This Development Will Affect the Local Community?
This tragic loss is anticipated to have a widespread emotional and operational impact across the educational community and local families throughout Fife.
Having taught physical education in the area for three decades, Mr Baillie interacted with and mentored thousands of young people, working closely with vulnerable learners to support their development. Schools across the region are likely to implement grief support services, counselling, and dedicated memorial events for students, alumni, and teaching colleagues mourning his loss.
Furthermore, the incident is expected to renew calls from local residents and community councillors for comprehensive traffic safety assessments along the A92 near Freuchie, potentially prompting calls for enhanced street lighting, lowered speed thresholds, or improved pedestrian crossing measures.
