Footage has shown the moment a driver 16 times over the drug driving limit was told he had killed a cyclist when crashing into him head-on after a cocaine binge. 

A police bodycam recorded Daniel Booth, 31, being told by police about what happened when he hit cyclist Neil Routley, 56, after swerving across the road on June 29 last year.

Booth, who has now been jailed for nine years, was driving erratically as he drove home, hitting kerbs and verges in the minutes before the incident. 

Emergency services were called at about 12.30pm but Mr Routley tragically died after sustaining catastrophic injuries while he was cycling in Aust, South Gloucestershire. Booth, from Lydney, Gloucestershire, was arrested at the scene.

The killer was found to have 14 micrograms of cocaine and 800 micrograms of benzoylecgonine (BZE) in his system despite the legal limits being 10 micrograms and 50 micrograms respectively.

In dashcam footage from Booth’s Mercedes, he can be seen swerving into the right-hand lane on a country road after going round a bend at around 40mph – just moments before the fatal collision. 

Later, as he lies in what appears to be the back of an ambulance, a police officer tells Booth: ‘Unfortunately, that cyclist has died so at the moment I’m arresting you on suspicion of death by dangerous driving (from) what the witnesses have told us. 

‘And also it’s come back as positive for cocaine on the drugs wipe so you’re arrested for driving whilst unfit as well.’ 

Daniel Booth, 31, has been sentenced for nine years behind bars after pleading guilty at Bristol Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving

Cyclist Neil Routley, 56, who was killed in the head-on crash, is pictured here with his bicycle at Lands’ End in Cornwall

Pictured is the moment Booth is told by police that he has killed Mr Routley following the crash on June 29 last year

The female officer then explains Booth’s rights as the killer rubs his face.  

The court was told Booth had taken cocaine around 12 hours before the incident and the delayed impact of taking the drug had impaired his driving.

He was driving a Mercedes which was fitted with a dashcam in which Booth could be heard yawning and making a comment about feeling tired.

Jo Routley paid tribute to her husband, saying: ‘Neil was a much-loved husband, brother and son. We are devastated by his loss.

‘After 20 years teaching maths, Neil left Patchway High School to fulfil his dream of working for himself as a cycle mechanic, though he continued his love of teaching by helping his customers and instructing at archery.

‘He was always active, enjoying paragliding, paddleboarding, badminton and rifle shooting. His main passions were cats, coffee and cycling.

‘Sunday 29 June last year was a hot day, like today, so Neil went for a morning cycle when it was cooler.

‘He was due to be back for lunch so we could go for a walk together in the afternoon. Tragically, he never came home. 

Dashcam footage from Booth’s Mercedes shows him crashing into kerbs and yawning several times before the crash

Pictured is the moment Booth swerved into the right-hand lane, seconds before the head-on collision last year

‘Neil’s untimely death was caused by a selfish and thoughtless act which will continue to impact his family and friends every day. His family and friends will miss him greatly.’

Booth pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court at a previous hearing to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced on Thursday to nine years behind bars. He had no previous convictions.

Judge Martin Picton accepted Booth was remorseful but explained that the defendant knew the risk he was taking.

He said: ‘The dangers of drug driving are well known. No one can be ignorant of the risk. The message is out there that drug driving kills.’

Booth was disqualified from driving for five years and will have to pass an extended test before being allowed to regain his licence.

Designated investigating officer Emma Ling said: ‘This incident has devastated Neil Routley’s family and our thoughts are with them.

‘It’s clear his death has left a massive hole in their lives that no court sentence could ever fill.

‘There are times when accidents can happen and there is nothing anyone could have done about them.

‘However, this is not the case with this tragedy. Daniel Booth got behind the wheel that day and was clearly in no safe condition to drive.

‘The dashcam footage showing his car striking kerbs multiple times and capturing him yawning is truly shocking. Yet he continued to drive on.

‘Driving after consuming drugs or alcohol massively increases the chance of a serious collision, even if it is several hours later.

‘Driving under the influence is recognised as one of the fatal five most common reasons behind such incidents.

‘We make no apology for highlighting this repeatedly because the consequences of drivers ignoring that danger is devastating, as has been sadly illustrated in this case.’

Prosecutor Christine Hart said: ‘The sentence today follows a thorough police investigation and close partnership working with the CPS to put together a strong case with evidence so compelling it left Mr Booth with no choice but to plead guilty.

‘I’d like to thank Mr Routley’s family for their patience and dignity throughout these proceedings.’