By Paramedic jailed for killing cyclist in drink-drive crash
An off-duty paramedic who was over twice the drink-drive limit has been jailed after he crashed into and killed a cyclist.
In June 2021, Robert Woodruff, consumed 10 pints of Guinness before borrowing his father’s car to drive to a party.
The Nissan slammed into Richard Goodwin, who was cycling home on the A1033 in East Yorkshire after a barbecue.
Woodruff, 36, was jailed at Hull Crown Court for five years and four months after admitting to causing death by dangerous driving.
Mr Goodwin, 56, who was described as a “devoted” father-of-five, died at the scene shortly before 9 pm on June 26 2021.
The court hear how his body was carried 70m (229.6 ft) on the bonnet of the car during the crash.
Woodruff, employed by Yorkshire Ambulance Service since 2014, had earlier been seen tailgating a car, before narrowly avoiding colliding with an oncoming car while attempting to overtake.
The court heard that Woodruff “for no apparent reason” veered across the road and into a “clearly visible” Mr Goodwin between the villages of Ottringham and Patrington.
Witnesses had seen Woodruff, who was twice the drink-drive limit, looking down at his phone on the front passenger seat.
Records showed numerous phone calls had been made using the car’s in-built hands-free device.
Woodruff was disqualified from driving for seven years and eight months and must pass an extended test before he can drive again.
