Drink and drug-driver jailed for killing woman in Portsmouth crash
Danny Conaghan was more than eight times the legal limit at the time
Last updated 30th May 2023
A driver who was more than eight times the drug-driving limit when he hit and killed a pedestrian in Portsmouth has been jailed for almost seven years.
55-year-old Sharon Randall died when she was struck by Danny Conaghan's car on Winston Churchill Avenue on August 3rd, 2021.
Portsmouth Crown Court heard the 34-year-old, of Sywell Crescent in Hilsea, had taken cocaine prior to the crash and was also over the drink-drive limit.
He was also speeding, with forensic collision investigators estimating his speed at the time of the collision was between 40mph and 46mph in the 30mph road.
Conaghan pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on March 6th.
He was jailed for six years and nine months and disqualified from driving for 10 years.
Police Sergeant Jonathan Bates, of Hampshire Police's Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said:
"Conaghan selfishly got behind the wheel of a car when he was drunk and on drugs. He did not care that this put other people at risk and proceeded to drive well above the speed limit.
"Mrs Randall was an innocent pedestrian and her family has been devastated by this tragic loss of life. If Conaghan had not been driving that night after drinking and taking drugs then she would still be alive.
"This man will now be behind bars for taking a woman’s life. I hope this sentence sends a clear message to anyone thinking of doing something as reckless as drink or drug driving that it is not worth the risk."