A drug driver has been jailed for 12 years after he hit and killed a grandmother while driving at 85mph on the wrong side of the road. 

Dwayne Arney smashed into 60-year-old Rosemary Wooldridge's car in a head-on collision outside her home in Plymouth, Devon, a week before Christmas Day in 2024.

CCTV footage from the incident shows Arney in an Audi A4 Quattro speeding along the road at more than 50mph above the speed limit before a loud crash can be heard.

Another video from a different angle shows Arney flying down the 30mph road on the wrong side before he smashes into Ms Wooldridge's Ford Fiesta.

The grandmother was sadly pronounced dead at the scene having suffered catastrophic injuries.  

He then fled the scene and was later arrested by Devon and Cornwall Police at his home over two miles from the crash. 

The 34-year-old later admitted causing death by dangerous driving and possessing a class A drug while uninsured and without a licence.

Arney's driving was branded 'ludicrous' by Judge Robert Linford who added that his initial decision to run away was 'cowardly and callous'. 

At Plymouth Crown Court today, he was jailed for twelve years and banned from driving for 18 years.

During his sentencing hearing, the court heard how Arney collected a powerful Audi A4 Quattro he was intending to purchase.

After stopping to get fuel, Arney accelerated on Ham Drive in such a manner that his passenger asked him to slow down.

After travelling past a parked ambulance, the Audi - which was by then driving on the wrong side of the road - collided head-on with a Ford Fiesta.

The Ford Fiesta was being driven by Ms Wooldridge who was arriving home on Ham Drive, Plymouth, on December 17 2024.

After he was tracked down by police, Arney attempted to swallow a wrap of cocaine that officers were able to recover. He was taken to hospital before being discharged into police custody for interview.

An examination of his blood revealed him to be under the influence of a controlled drug.

Arney's passenger suffered no significant injury.

A subsequent examination of the Audi deemed it not to be roadworthy.

Detective Sergeant Troy Bennett of the Serious Collisions Investigation Team, said: 'This is one of the most egregious examples of dangerous driving I have encountered in my career.

'The defendant chose to drive at more than 80mph in a residential street, while impaired by drugs, without a licence or insurance, and then fled the scene after causing a fatal collision.

'His actions showed a complete disregard for the law and for human life and tragically resulted in the wholly avoidable death of Rosemary Wooldridge. I hope today's sentence provides some measure of justice for the victim's family.

'I would also like to thank Rosemary's family for agreeing to the release of CCTV footage of this devastating collision. While the footage is distressing to watch, I hope it encourages anyone who risks driving while impaired to consider the potential consequences of their selfish actions and think twice before getting behind the wheel.'

Paying tribute to Ms Wooldridge, her family said: 'Rosemary was the heart of our family, a devoted mum, a cherished daughter, a much-loved sister, a deeply adored nan, a treasured auntie, and a proud fiancée.

'She was full of warmth, mischief, and a love for life that made people feel instantly at ease. Her daft humour and her ability to bring people together were part of what made her so special, not just to us but to the many friends she made throughout her life.

'She was a well-known and much-loved member of her local darts community, where her laughter, competitiveness, and big personality made her unforgettable. That community, like our family, is feeling her loss deeply.'

The statement said that after years of working and 'putting everyone else first', Ms Wooldridge was starting to slow down and enjoying time with family and friends. 

It continued: 'Our grief is made even heavier knowing she never had the chance to meet her first great grandchild, a moment she was so looking forward to and so deserving of.

'Losing her in such a sudden and devastating way has created a loss so large it is impossible to measure. The impact has rippled far beyond our immediate family, touching friends, neighbours, colleagues, and the many people whose lives she brightened simply by being herself.

'The space she leaves behind is vast. But her spirit, her kindness, her humour, her strength, and the love she gave so freely will continue to echo through all of us who were lucky enough to know her.'