Man jailed after admitting causing death by dangerous driving in Bristol
Officers found evidence of both cannabis and cocaine use was found in samples of Payne's blood at the time of the incident
A man from south Bristol has been jailed for 7 and a half years after admitting causing the death of a 24-year-old man in July 2022.
Lewis Charles Payne, 32, and from Stockwood, entered a guilty plea at a hearing back in December for causing death by dangerous driving following the incident on Airport Road in Bristol on the 10th of July 2022.
Payne was the only person in the car of his Audi A3 at the time of the incident, which happened at just before 10pm, with police experts later confirming he was driving at speeds of up to 51mpg on the road which has a limit of 30mph.
Zac Betty, 24, of Knowle, was walking to work along the pavement when Payne's car mounted the kerb, crossed a cycle lane and struck him.
The car didn't stop until it collided with a lamppost - with members of the public in the area rushing to help ahead of the emergency services turning up.
Zac had sustained multiple injuries and could not be saved.
The defendant claimed to have blacked out just before the collision, but he was unable to supply medical evidence to support this and his account was contradicted by CCTV evidence showing that the vehicle's brake lights were on.
Evidence of both cannabis and cocaine use was found in samples of Payne's blood, whilst the remains of a takeaway were found in the car footwell, along with a partially-smoked cigarette.
Zac Betty, who had a young son, was described as a loving, caring and selfless son, brother, uncle and daddy.
His family said at the time: "We are absolutely heartbroken. You were an amazing person to have around and you've made a massive impact. There is a deep hole now in our heart. We all will love you forever and more."
After Lewis Payne was sentenced, his parents issued a further statement: "Today the wheels of justice have turned and the person who took away our son has been sentenced.
"No parent should ever have to be in the position where they bury a child. It is not the way of the world. There is no sentence that will bring back our Zac.
"The hole that has been left by his loss could never be filled or reduced by any sentence.
"We would now appreciate time and space to process what has happened.
"As a family we appreciate all the support from all the agencies involved."
Sentencing, His Honour Judge William Hart said Payne was travelling between 48 and 50mph in a 30mph limit and struck Zac Betty from behind after crossing the width of the pavement. HHJ Hart dismissed Payne's claim to have "blacked out", reflecting that CCTV depicts his brake lights coming on.
After noting that Payne's blood confirmed the presence of cocaine and cannabis HHJ Hart said: "No sentence I can give will undo a life lost."
Investigating officer Dai Nicholas said: "I'd firstly like to pass on my thanks to those members of the public who tried to help at the scene, and the witnesses who came forward.
"The medical evidence showed that Lewis Payne was over the legal limit for cannabis and still had traces of cocaine in his system. The forensic expert said the level of the active ingredient of cannabis in his blood would have significantly affected his ability to safely control a motor vehicle.
"His decision to get behind the wheel has devastated a family. I hope they can now start to find some peace."
Lewis Charles Payne has been handed a jail term of seven years and six months, and been banned from driving for eight years and nine months.