Robert Woodruff, 36, who was off duty at the time, ignored his wife’s pleas not to drive to the gathering seven miles away, despite being at least twice the drink-drive limit. His Nissan Juke plowed into cyclist Richard Goodwin, 56, as he cycled home along the A1033 in East Yorkshire, killing him instantly. Woodruff was jailed at Hull Crown Court for five years and four months after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. The court heard that Mr Goodwin was dressed appropriately and was in good standing as he cycled home from a friend’s barbecue on June 26 last year. Woodruff was seen driving dangerously close to the car in front of him, leaving only a half-second gap between the two vehicles. He tried to overtake, narrowly avoided hitting an oncoming vehicle, swerved and hit Mr Goodwin with his bike, killing him instantly. Woodruff’s car traveled over an embankment, over a ditch and through trees and undergrowth, before coming to rest in the front garden of a nearby cottage, 100 meters away. Nearly three hours later at the hospital, Woodruff’s blood alcohol level was still twice the legal limit. Jeremy Evans from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Words cannot adequately describe the utter devastation and grief this defendant has caused the Goodwin family. “Woodruff was a paramedic and a trained first responder. His incredibly reckless actions that day are completely incomprehensible. “Also, it is difficult to imagine a more complete betrayal of the values of his profession as a paramedic. “Our hearts go out to the entire Goodwin family and we hope that the sentence Woodruff begins today will bring them comfort in the months and years to come. “Our thoughts remain with them.” Woodruff was disqualified from driving for seven years and eight months and must pass an extensive test before he can drive again. SWNS
