A driver who collided with a cyclist on the A350 near Chippenham, causing his death, has been jailed for five years and eight months.
Ayan Kolah, 38, of Lowden, Chippenham, was sentenced on Thursday 5th November after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving and failing to provide a specimen.
The collision happened at around 5am on 20th January, when 64-year-old Robert Jones, from Melksham, was cycling northbound on the A350 towards Lacock.
Kolah was driving a silver Vauxhall Astra when the vehicle struck the rear of Mr Jones’s bicycle, throwing him into a grass verge.
Mr Jones was wearing high-visibility clothing and had lights on his bike.
Police said a roadside breath test gave a positive preliminary result, while a drugs wipe test was also positive for cannabis. Officers found a small amount of cannabis, a grinder and an open bottle of vodka inside the vehicle.
Kolah appeared erratic when officers arrived and was unsteady on her feet, with a strong smell of alcohol. She was arrested and taken to Melksham Custody, where she failed to provide an evidential specimen.
As well as the prison sentence, Kolah was disqualified from driving for seven years and 11 months.
PC James Howells, of Wiltshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said the collision was “tragic and wholly avoidable” and had devastating consequences for Mr Jones’s family.
He said: “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.
“Every driver has a responsibility to remain fit to drive and to be fully alert behind the wheel. The circumstances of this case demonstrates the potentially catastrophic consequences when that responsibility is not upheld.”
He added that police would continue to pursue drivers whose actions put others at risk and result in serious injury or death.
Want to know what’s on in Calne? Visit our local events page for listings and to find out how to add your own events for free. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news. Have you got a story for us? Email editor@calnenews.com.