Van driver jailed for killing man, 81, in hit and run crash

A drink driver has been jailed for killing a man in a hit and run collision in Lee-on-Solent.

Dean Reynolds, 49, of Merstone Road in Gosport, was drunk behind the wheel of his Ford Transit van when he struck pedestrian Ronald Bird on Marine Parade West in June 2022.

Reynolds was sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving following a guilty plea at Portsmouth Crown Court.

He was handed a six year prison sentence and disqualified from driving for ten years.

The court heard Mr Bird, 81, from Lee-on-Solent, had left his home to post a letter, before crossing Marine Parade West to walk along the seafront.

Mr Bird was hit by the grey van driven by Reynolds, who did not stop at the scene.

Mr Bird suffered serious injuries and was taken to Southampton General Hospital, where he died.

Witnesses took photographs of the Transit as it left the scene and officers located the van at Pinkmead Farm in Curdridge approximately one hour after the collision.

Reynolds was sat in the driver's seat and provided an alcohol breath sample of 75mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, more than double the legal limit.

Detective Sergeant Cate Paling, of the serious collision Investigation unit, said: "Reynolds must have drank a substantial amount of alcohol prior to driving that day, if he was still that much over the limit so long after the collision.

"I want to thank the members of the public who took pictures of the van so we were able to track Reynolds down so quickly and secure vital evidence.

"Drink driving is completely unacceptable and can lead to devastating consequences such as the serious injury or death of innocent people like Mr Bird.

"Please think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. You could easily use other means of transportation that don't put people's lives at risk and there is no excuse for it.

"All our thoughts are with Mr Bird's family."

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