A WOMAN has been jailed after killing a cyclist in a hit-and-run crash.

Jessica Berry, 26 and of Corfe Mullen, was driving on the B3078 Julians Road in Wimborne when she hit 40-year-old cyclist James Raeburn with her car.

Emergency services attended the scene and Mr Raeburn was pronounced dead at the scene.

Berry fled the scene, and parked in Jubilee Road in Corfe Mullen, where two members of the public noticed her red Vauxhall Corsa, which had a damaged windscreen.

The pair then came across the crash scene at Julians Road and thought the two were connected.

One of the men stayed at the scene while the other returned to where they had seen the Corsa, and they notified the police.

The county force then found the car, which was registered to Berry, and arrested her.

While in custody, Berry gave a breath test that was found to contain 72 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, with the legal limit being 35 micrograms per 100ml.

A blood sample was also taken.

This showed the presence of the psychoactive constituent of cannabis, at a rate of seven micrograms per litre of blood, with the legal limit being two micrograms per litre.

At a hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday, July 9, Berry was sentenced after pleading guilty to causing death by driving without due care or consideration while over the prescribed limit for alcohol.

She admitted causing death by driving without due care or consideration while over the specified drug drive limit for cannabis.

Berry also pleaded guilty to charges of failing to stop after a road traffic collision and driving a vehicle in a condition likely to cause danger of injury.

She was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison and was banned from driving for five years, following her release from custody.

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.”