Overview
- James O'Donnell, 35, received 11 years and eight months in prison and a total driving disqualification of 12 years and nine months, with an extended re-test requirement.
- Court CCTV showed his Volkswagen ID5 travelling about 63mph in a 30mph zone before striking 63-year-old Keith Hornby from behind on Tarbock Road.
- After the collision, he briefly returned to the area, drove on, crashed into a parked Ford, abandoned his car, and bought vodka in what prosecutors called an attempt to hide drink-driving.
- He was arrested within 20 to 30 minutes, with police video showing him staggering; he later provided a breath sample nearly three times the legal limit, according to police.
- He initially denied the charges but pleaded guilty in November to causing death by dangerous driving, drink-driving, and failing to stop, as the victim’s family delivered emotional statements and he submitted a letter of remorse.