Knowsley – ‘Dangerous’ drink driver killed cyclist and then fled scene

James O'Donnell, 35, struck and killed 63-year-old Keith Hornby in a crash while nearly three times over the legal drink-drive limit. He then fled the scene without stopping to help. O'Donnell appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, March 20, where he was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene, and driving while over the alcohol limit.

Detective Sergeant Andy Roper, lead investigating officer from Merseyside Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "The decision by James O'Donnell to drive at grossly excessive speeds whilst under the influence of alcohol showed a complete disregard for anyone else on the road that day. Other stories "Keith Hornby was going about his life, enjoying something he loved to do and riding his bike on a route that was extremely familiar to him.

"As he enjoyed that sunny spring day, he had no idea a dangerous drunk driver was approaching him from behind at excessive speed." The fatal collision happened on Wednesday, March 5, on Tarbock Road in Huyton, where O'Donnell was driving a black Volkswagen ID5 towards the M62. He struck Mr Hornby, who died at the scene from his injuries.

O'Donnell left the scene and abandoned the car in a nearby housing estate before purchasing alcohol from a shop and attempting to walk back to his home on Cypress Road. Officers began searching for him immediately and arrested him as he walked home. Investigations revealed O'Donnell had been driving at excessive speeds throughout his journey and was over the legal drink-drive limit.

O'Donnell was recorded travelling at 68mph in a 30mph zone just before the collision and was still driving at 63mph when he hit Mr Hornby. A breath test later confirmed he was nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit. DS Roper said: "Having struck Mr Hornby, O'Donnell then showed absolutely no remorse or concern for what he had done.

"He turned his car around, returned to where Mr Hornby lay, and looked at him before driving away at speed into the housing estate. "We were able to find the car located very quickly after the incident and subsequently find O'Donnell. "Too often me and my team deal with fatal collisions that were entirely avoidable and a result of poor decisions.

"In this case, making the decision to drive at grossly excessive speed has ended with catastrophic and heartbreaking consequences for a family. "Mr Hornby was the primary carer for his elderly mother and was just taking an hour out of his demanding day to get some fresh air and exercise. "Our thoughts remain with Mr Hornby's family and friends.

"I would also like to thank the members of the public who stopped to help and went to his aid and to those who have assisted this investigation throughout."

O'Donnell initially denied the offences but changed his plea before the trial.