A DRIVER who killed a 62-year-old as she was crossing a town centre road has been jailed for three and a half years.

Daniel Turner, 21, of Great Wood Close, Chorley, was driving a Peugeot 106 which hit Irene Salmon as she crossed the town centre bypass, near Water Street, on March 23 last year.

Judge Christopher Cornwall, at Preston Crown Court, said Turner had deprived his body of sleep in the two days before the crash after using the illegal drug mephedrone.

Witnesses reported that Turner’s head was resting on the window of his car just before the crash.

Turner had pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and possession of the drug.

The collision happened as Turner was driving north out of Chorley town centre on a straight stretch of road.

His car had veered from the nearside lane to the off side lane as Mrs Salmon stepped into the road.

Mrs Salmon, of Northgate Drive, Chorley, was taken to Chorley Hospital, but was pronounced dead a short time later.

In a statement, Irene’s sister Audrey Bolton said: “I hope Mr Turner realises the devastation he has caused.

“He might as well have killed me too that day.”

Turner, who had no previous convictions, was also disqualified from driving for three years.