A man drank eight pints and killed a pedestrian in a hit and run before stopping to buy wine and fish and chips on the way home. James Wood, 62, had been arrested for drink-driving just two weeks before.
Despite this he went on a seven-hour binge in the pub with friends, drinking eight pints. He then got in his red Citroen Berlingo and was driving along Walton Bridge Road in Shepperton, Surrey, when he hit Brendan O’Connell, 52.
But instead of stopping he carried on, leaving Mr O'Connell in the road, before stopping to buy two bottles of wine and some fish and chips on the way home on September 19 last year. When officers arrived at his home and found his damaged car, Wood denied the accident or drinking and continued to do so throughout his trial.
However, he was convicted of causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink following a trial at Guildford Crown Court and sentenced to eight years in prison. He won't be eligible for parole for four years and will be banned from driving for six years after his release.
He will then be subject to an extended re-test procedure. He pleaded guilty to drink-driving in October 2020 for the earlier offence and was banned for 17 months and ordered to pay £415 costs.
Investigating officer, DC Rick Edwards, said: “This was a tragic collision, caused by the unnecessary actions of a driver who made the choice to consume alcohol and then drive while unfit. Alcohol limits are there for a reason. As evidenced in this tragic case, those who choose to drive while under the influence are not only risking their own lives, but the lives of those around them.”
A police spokesperson added: "Brendan’s family have paid tribute to the witnesses that came forward and to DC Richard Edwards and the wider team at the Surrey Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit for their efforts in bringing the investigation to court. Brendan’s family are devastated at the loss of a loving husband, father, and grandfather."
