Drink and drug driver jailed for causing fatal Wimborne crash
26 year old Jessica Berry from Corfe Mullen admitted the charges
Last updated 10th Jul 2024
A drink and drug driver from Corfe Mullen has been jailed for eight years and eight months, after admitting causing a fatal crash in Wimborne.
26 year old Jessica Berry pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without due care or consideration while over the prescribed limit for alcohol and causing death by driving without due care or consideration while over the specified drug drive limit for cannabis.
She also admitted charges of failing to stop after a road traffic collision and driving a vehicle in a condition likely to cause danger of injury.
Berry's been sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court and has also been banned from driving for a period of five years, with the disqualification due to commence on her release from prison.
What happened?
The collision happened on the B3078 Julians Road on the evening of 4th October 2023, involving a car and a bicycle.
The cyclist – 40-year-old James Raeburn – was pronounced dead at the scene.
The vehicle involved did not stop at the scene.
Two members of the public noticed a red Vauxhall Corsa with a damaged windscreen that had parked up in the area of Jubilee Road in Corfe Mullen.
They then came across the collision scene at Julians Road a short time later and thought the two may be connected.
Police were notified and located the vehicle, which was registered to Berry.
She was arrested and while in custody she gave a breath test that was found to contain 72 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35 micrograms.
A blood sample was taken, which showed the presence of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the psychoactive constituent of cannabis – at a rate of seven micrograms per litre of blood, the legal limit being two micrograms.
Sergeant Mike Burt, of the Roads Policing Team, said:
“Jessica Berry’s extremely reckless actions on the evening of Wednesday 4 October 2023 have had truly devastating consequences.
“By driving whilst under the influence of alcohol and drugs, she posed a significant risk to herself and other road users, which was tragically realised when she was involved in the collision with Mr Raeburn.
“We sadly see all too often the shocking consequences of motorists driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Nothing will ever make up for his family’s loss and I can only hope this case sends a message to those considering driving whilst intoxicated to stop and think about the awful consequences these actions can cause.
“At the sentencing hearing, the judge commended the two members of the public who assisted in locating Berry’s vehicle. I would like to take the opportunity to personally thank them as well for their quick-thinking actions and the vital assistance they gave to this investigation.”