Alanda Pike (pictured) and her daughter Louisa May, 3, who had been sat in the back seat, suffered serious head injuries in a crash on the A354 near Blandford, in Dorset
A mother has today admitted causing the death of her three-year-old daughter by driving more than three-and-a-half times the drink and drug-drive limit.
Alanda Pike and her daughter Louisa May, who had been sat in the back seat, suffered serious head injuries in a crash on the A354 near Blandford, in Dorset.
The 34-year-old has been warned she faces an ‘inevitable’ prison sentence when she returns to the court later this month.
A silver Vauxhall Astra which was being driven by Pike had pulled out of the junction straight into the path of a white Ford Transit van at 7.40am.
The tot died of her injuries at the hospital the following day. Pike wept as she admitted four charges relating to the collision, which happened this summer.
The driver of the van, 44-year-old Karen Street, also sustained serious injuries to her hand and arm and was taken to Salisbury District Hospital for treatment.
Pike, who lives in Shaftesbury, was charged with a series of offences in connection with the crash on Thursday, September 7, and appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court for a preliminary hearing on the same day.
Today, she appeared before a judge at Bournemouth Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
During the hearing, she admitted causing Louisa May’s death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury to Ms Street by dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and driving with a specified controlled drug above the limit.
It was heard that she had 284 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood at the time of the collision. The limit is 80mg.
Emergency services were called to a crash on the A354 near Blandford, in Dorset, at 7.50am on August 24.
Initially, Pike was charged with having 174mg alcohol in her blood, as a test was taken five hours after the crash.
Officers then made a back calculation which indicated her blood alcohol level at the time of the crash was significantly higher.
Pike also had 181ug benzoylecgonine – a main metabolite of cocaine – per litre of blood. The limit is 50ug.
The defendant, who was flanked by two security officers in the dock, has been remanded into custody ahead of the sentencing hearing on Thursday, October 26.
A silver Vauxhall Astra which was being driven by Pike had pulled out of the junction (pictured) and straight into the path of a white Ford Transit van at 7.40am
Judge Peter Johnson said she had admitted ‘extremely serious matters’.
He said: ‘The inevitable sentence is one of immediate custody. I will adjourn for a pre-sentence report so I can learn more about your background.’
Sergeant Phil Lee, of the traffic unit, said: ‘Alanda Pike’s decision to drive while so intoxicated that day both through drink and drugs has resulted in truly devastating consequences, with the tragic death of her three-year-old daughter.
‘This incredibly sad case yet again demonstrates the truly devastating consequences that driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol has not only for the families involved, but for the wider communities, and I hope that other motorists will remember Louisa and think again when considering getting behind the wheel if they are in any way intoxicated.
‘Our sincerest thoughts are with Louisa’s friends and family at this very difficult time.’