Drunk driver killed man then went to buy alcohol

A drunk driver killed a cyclist before fleeing the scene and going to a shop to buy more alcohol, a court has heard.

James O'Donnell was driving his black Volkswagen ID5 at speeds of 63mph in a 30mph zone when he struck 63-year-old Keith Hornby, on Tarbock Road in Huyton, on 5 March 2025.

O'Donnell, who had abandoned the car in a nearby housing estate, was found staggering along the street a short time later and arrested.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, drink-driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision and was jailed for 11 years and eight months at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday.

Footage of his arrest released by Merseyside Police showed O'Donnell slurring his words and asking the officers for a cigarette.

When he was told the answer was no, he replied: "Well I'm gonna kick off then, aren't I?".

Merseyside Police said after O'Donnell had hit Keith Hornby with his car, he turned it around, looked at the victim lying stricken in the road and sped away.

O'Donnell had been trying to walk back to his home in Cypress Avenue, Huyton, when he was arrested.

The force said a breath test sample had been nearly three times over the legal limit for alcohol.

O'Donnell initially denied the offences, but later changed his plea prior to trial.

Det Sgt Andy Roper, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "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."

Roper said O'Donnell had shown "absolutely no remorse or concern for what he had done".

"Keith 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," he said.

In a statement, Keith's family thanked local residents who had rushed to his aid after the crash and helped the police find his killer.

"We can finally put this behind us and move on with our lives," they said.

"A significant weight has been lifted off our shoulders and we can think of all the great memories Keith has given us all."

At the time of his death, they said: "The whole family are devastated with Keith's death and are struggling to come to terms with how it occurred."

His mother had been due to turn 90 nine days after his death, the family said.

Hornby, whose main hobby was cycling, had followed "the same route for the last 20 years or so".

"Many people would have seen Keith riding his dark blue mountain bike," his family added.

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