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Drink-drive mum killed daughter in Blandford crash | Drink-drive mum killed daughter in Blandford crash |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A mother has been jailed for more than six years for causing the death of her three-year-old daughter while driving over the alcohol and drug limit. | A mother has been jailed for more than six years for causing the death of her three-year-old daughter while driving over the alcohol and drug limit. |
Alanda Pike, 34, left Louisa fatally injured when she hit a van on the A354 near Blandford, Dorset, on 24 August. | |
Louisa suffered head injuries and was airlifted to hospital but died the next day, Bournemouth Crown Court heard. | |
Pike had earlier admitted causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol. | |
The defendant, of Blackmore Road, Shaftesbury, had drunk half a 200ml bottle of vodka she bought on the day of the crash, the court was told. | |
She had also been drinking and taken cocaine with her partner the previous evening, knowing she would be driving her daughter the following day. | |
Prosecutors said Pike's alcohol level was more than three-and-a-half times the legal limit at the time of the crash - she had 171mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. | |
Her blood sample taken in hospital also contained a "breakdown product of cocaine". | Her blood sample taken in hospital also contained a "breakdown product of cocaine". |
The crash happened shortly after Pike collected Louisa from her ex-husband's house in Blandford. | |
Louisa was partially strapped in to a child seat in the rear of the car when it pulled out in front of the van at Thickthorn Cross, at about 07:40 BST. | |
Pike and Louisa suffered head injuries while the van driver, a 44-year-old woman from Salisbury, suffered serious injuries to her hand and arm. | |
'Ray of sunshine' | 'Ray of sunshine' |
The court was told Pike previously received a suspended sentence for drink driving in January 2014. She also received a visit from police over the dangers of drink driving in 2016. | |
In a victim impact statement, Louisa's father Sam Pike described her as a "precious ray of sunshine". | |
"I can't begin to comprehend life without her," he added. | "I can't begin to comprehend life without her," he added. |
Defence counsel said Pike was "devastated by the loss of her daughter" and had sought help for her alcohol and drug abuse. | Defence counsel said Pike was "devastated by the loss of her daughter" and had sought help for her alcohol and drug abuse. |
Jailing her for six years and four months the judge, Peter Johnson, said: "This was entirely your fault through your grossly impaired state. | |
"Your actions caused the death of a bright bubbly child who was adored by many." | "Your actions caused the death of a bright bubbly child who was adored by many." |
After the hearing Sgt Phil Lee, of Dorset Police, said: "Yet again we are here dealing with the tragic aftermath of a wholly unnecessary and completely avoidable event that has had devastating effects on all those involved. |
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