A woman has been jailed for four years after admitting causing death by dangerous driving while drowsy due to a cocktail of drugs.
Anita Berry, 48, was driving her Ford Ka when she drifted onto the opposite side of the road and collided with a Ford Transit Minibus killing her front seat passenger, Darren Jackett, 40.
Toxicology results showed Berry, of Moor Road in Croston, near Chorley, had high amounts of illicit drugs in her system at the time.
She admitted the offence at a hearing at Preston Crown Court on April 20, a year after the incident happened on Wood Lane in Heskin, near Chorley.
The road was closed for three and a half hours on April 21, 2011 after the incident happened at around 9.30pm.
She was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday.
His Honour Judge Anthony Russell said: “In my judgement, there is no doubt that the driving was grossly impaired.
“Driving whilst asleep or so drowsy that you lose control of the car cannot really be described as anything else . . . the evidence is that not only did you take a prescribed drug, methodone, but also illicit drugs as you admit and the report submitted on your behalf indicates.
“You had taken heroin and in the car a wrap of heroin was found.
“This combination must have affected your ability to drive, and the taking of any illicit drug indicates a degree of irresponsibility on your part because its effect in combination with prescribed drugs can have a significant effect on a person.
“This case ought to serve as a warning to drug abusers that drugs in your body seriously affect your ability to drive and can result in serious consequences.”
Berry was also disqualified from driving for five years and must retake an extended test.
Sgt Pat Worden from the road policing anit said: “I am satisfied with the sentence handed down by the judge.
“It has been an incredibly difficult time for the family of Mr Jackett and I hope that today can bring them some closure.”
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