Drunk Driver Jailed after Cyclist Death

15 November 2011, 05:00

A man who was drunk behind the wheel has been jailed for 3 years for causing the death of a cyclist in Oxfordshire.

Jonathan Ashworth also had cocaine in his system when he hit and killed 18-year-old Tom Kahl, who was cycling along the A4260 at Thrupp, near Kidlington, with friends

The 55-year-old from Railway Cottage in Shipton-on-Cherwell has been sentenced at Oxford Crown Court after being found guilty of causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit, causing death while driving without a licence, and causing death by driving while uninsured.

He has also been banned from driving for five years and will have to take an extended retest following this ban.

Sgt Pete Jell, investigating officer of the collision, said:

"Last July Ashworth chose to drive knowing he was unlicensed and uninsured to drive the vehicle he was in. He chose to drive knowing he had been drinking. The evidence given in court also showed that Ashworth had cocaine in his system.

"When Tom Kahl cycled across the road, he was there to be seen but Ashworth was not able to react to what was happening in front of him and he hit him and killed him.

"This is a collision that was avoidable. The sentence today demonstrates that drink driving will not be tolerated. Drink driving kills."