A Chippenham woman has been jailed after killing a cyclist on the A350 near Lacock, where police found an open bottle of vodka and cannabis in her car.
64-year-old Robert Jones, from Melksham, was cycling north towards Lacock at around 5am on 20 January – wearing high-visibility clothing and with lights on his bike.
Healthcare worker Ayan Kolah was driving a silver Vauxhall Astra when she struck the back of his bike, throwing him into a grass verge.
Wiltshire Police said Kolah was unsteady on her feet and smelled strongly of alcohol when officers arrived.
A preliminary roadside breath test was positive, and a drug wipe tested positive for cannabis.
Officers found an open bottle of vodka, a small amount of cannabis and a grinder inside the Astra.
Kolah was arrested and taken into custody in Melksham, where she failed to provide a specimen for analysis.
The 38-year-old, of Lowden, Chippenham, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and failing to provide a specimen for analysis under section 3A of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
She was sentenced to five years and eight months behind bars on 5 November, and banned from driving for seven years and eleven months.
PC James Howells, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “This was a tragic and wholly avoidable collision which has had devastating consequences for Robert’s family and loved ones.
“Despite taking steps to ensure he was visible whilst out on his bike, Robert’s life was cut short because of the careless actions of another road user.”
He added: “Our thoughts remain with Robert’s family at this difficult time. I hope this sentence provides them with some measure of closure as they continue to come to terms with their loss.”
