Drug driver hit cyclist and left him to die

"Reckless and selfish" drug driver Anya Foster hit David Burrows while he was cycling to work

A drug driver who crashed into a cyclist before fleeing the scene as her victim lay fatally injured has been jailed.

David Burrows was cycling to work in St Helens on 1 December 2023 when he was struck by a Skoda Fabia driven by Anya Foster. The 59-year-old died in hospital shortly afterwards.

Foster admitted causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit for two controlled substances, driving whilst unfit through drugs, failing to stop after a collision, and failing to report what had happened.

The 32-year-old, from St Helens, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday to six years and eight months in prison.

The court heard Foster hit St Helens man Mr Burrows on Islands Brow, close to its junction with Hinckley Road.

Foster, of Gloucester Street, drove off but was arrested later that day.

Det Sgt Simon Duffy, from Merseyside Police's Matrix Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Foster’s reckless and selfish driving resulted in the death of an innocent man whilst he was riding to work, completely devastating his family."

He said Foster "chose to flee and began to weave a web of lies", repeatedly attempting to mislead police.

David Burrows was cycling to work in St Helens when he was struck

"Our thoughts remain firmly with David’s family and friends as they continue to deal with the devastating outcome of this heart-breaking incident every day," added Det Sgt Duffy.

Merseyside Police is about to launch its annual drink and drug driving campaign, Op Limit.

Det Sgt Duffy said: "My message to those who choose to drive whilst under the influence is this: You are not only putting your own life and your own future at risk, but also the lives of innocent people.

"Is it really worth risking your own life and the lives of others?"