Teenager admits killing cyclist near finish line of charity race

A TEENAGER who was more than twice the drink drive limit has admitted killing a father-of-three as he was about to finish a charity cycle race.

Christian Smith had almost completed a 248 mile race when he was stuck by a car on the Old Thanet Way, near Whitstable, Kent.
The 38-year-old, from Boughton Aluph, Kent, was declared dead at the scene by paramedics at around 4am on March 22.
He had been taking part in the 24-hour race in order to raise £1,000 for the mental health charity Mind, and was around two hours from the finish.
Bethany Mackie, 18, was arrested at the scene and admitted causing death by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol when she appeared at Canterbury Crown Court today.
Inspector Martin Stevens, from the Kent Police Roads Policing Unit, said: "Christian Smith was a keen cyclist and was raising money for a cause close to his heart.
"His death, caused by this tragic and avoidable incident, is another reminder to everyone of the dangers of drink-driving."

Christian Smith was a married father-of-three

The message here is that any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive, so the only safe option is not to drink alcohol if you plan to drive."
Mackie, from Herne Bay, Kent, has been given an interim driving ban released on bail ahead of sentencing on December 19.