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Healthcare worker jailed for killing cyclist while drink-driving

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 14:38 · Archive

A healthcare worker who was almost four times over the drink-driving limit has been jailed after killing a cyclist in Wiltshire.

Thirty-eight-year-old Ayan Kolah, a healthcare worker from Lowden in Chippenham, has been jailed for five years and seven months after admitting to causing the death of cyclist Robert Jones. Kolah was almost four times over the drink-driving limit when she drove a Vauxhall that struck Mr Jones, aged sixty-four, on the A350 at Lacock just before 5am on January 20. She has also been banned from driving for seven years and eleven months.

Kolah initially appeared at Swindon Crown Court on February 18 and pleaded not guilty to causing death whilst driving without due care and attention, and also denied failing to provide a specimen for analysis. A trial date was set for early January 2027, but seven months later she changed her plea and admitted to causing Mr Jones' death.

The court heard that the cyclist was wearing a hi-vis jacket at the time of the crash and had lights on his bicycle. Several other drivers had been able to see Mr Jones and pass safely prior to the collision. The prosecutor told the court that 'the collision was highly avoidable'.

Judge Townsend said the sentence could never be enough to reflect the tragic death of an innocent man. The A350 was closed for several hours following the crash while police carried out an investigation at the scene.

Healthcare worker jailed for killing cyclist while drink-driving
Image: Swindon Advertiser

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In this story: Ayan Kolah · Robert Jones · Swindon Crown Court · Wiltshire · Chippenham · Lacock · A350

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