A DRIVER who killed a cyclist from Winterbourne after taking cocaine the night before has been jailed for nine years.
Daniel Booth (above) veered his car across the carriageway and into the path of Neil Routley, aged 56, who was riding on the B4461 Aust Road, near the Severn Bridge, in June last year.
Neil, a former maths teacher at Patchway High School who ran his own bike servicing business, Rule 4 Cycles, died of his injuries.
Bristol Crown Court heard today that Neil had gone out on a Sunday morning bike ride and was due back home for lunch when Booth drove straight into him at about 12.30pm on June 29 last year.
’16 times the legal limit’
A drug wipe test on Booth, from Lydney in the Forest of Dean, was positive for cocaine.
Police said he was later found to have 14 micrograms of cocaine and 800 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a substance produced when the body breaks down cocaine – in his system.
The legal driving limit for cocaine is 10 micrograms and 50 micrograms respectively, indicating Booth, aged 31, had taken 16 times the legal limit for the drug before the crash.
Dashcam footage from Booth’s car released by police showed him repeatedly hitting the kerb and yawning as he drove a Mercedes on the A38 in Alveston and other local roads on the approach to the accident, which happened on the road from Alveston to Aust. He was driving at 46mph as he veered across the carriageway, seconds before colliding with Neil.
The court was told Booth had taken cocaine about 12 hours before the incident and the delayed impact of taking the drug impaired his driving.
Booth, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing.
Judge Martin Picton accepted Booth was remorseful, but said: “The dangers of drug-driving are well known.
“No-one can be ignorant of the risk.
“The message is out there, that drug-driving kills.”
As well as the jail sentence, Booth has been disqualified from driving for five years after his release.
He will have to pass an extended test before being allowed to drive again.
‘We are devastated by his loss’
Neil’s wife Jo said he is hugely missed by everyone who knew him.
She said: “Neil was a much-loved husband, brother and son.
“We are devastated by his loss.
“After 20 years teaching maths, Neil left Patchway High School to fulfil his dream of working for himself as a cycle mechanic, though he continued his love of teaching by helping his customers and instructing at archery.
“He was always active, enjoying paragliding, paddle-boarding, badminton and rifle shooting.
“His main passions were cats, coffee and cycling.
“Sunday 29 June last year was a hot day, like today, so Neil went for a morning cycle when it was cooler.
“He was due to be back for lunch so we could go for a walk together in the afternoon. Tragically, he never came home.
“Neil’s untimely death was caused by a selfish and thoughtless act, which will continue to impact his family and friends every day.
“His family and friends will miss him greatly.”
‘In no condition to drive’
Police investigating officer Emma Ling said: “Daniel Booth got behind the wheel that day and was clearly in no safe condition to drive.
“The dashcam footage showing his car striking kerb multiple times and capturing him yawning is truly shocking. Yet he continued to drive on.
“Driving after consuming drugs or alcohol massively increases the chance of a serious collision, even if it is several hours later. Driving under the influence is recognised as one of the fatal five most common reasons behind such incidents.
“We make no apology for highlighting this repeatedly, because the consequences of drivers ignoring that danger is devastating, as has been sadly illustrated in this case.”
Senior Crown advocate Christine Hart thanked Neil’s family for their “patience and dignity”.
Police say anyone who believes someone is currently driving under the influence of drink or drugs should call 999 immediately.
Anonymous reports can be made to the police online.
*Video of Booth’s driving in the moments before the crash can be viewed here