Alice Springs man pleads guilty to taking meth before fatal crash that killed a cyclist Stephen Yates

An Alice Springs man has pleaded guilty to getting behind the wheel of his car while high on meth and crashing into a cyclist, killing him almost instantly.

AN Alice Springs man has pleaded guilty to getting behind the wheel of his car while high on meth and crashing into a cyclist, killing him almost instantly.

Fifty-seven-year-old Stephen Yates had been participating in a Saturday-morning cycling club event on a stretch of road at Simpsons Gap, west of Alice Springs, when he was struck by a Ford Falcon that veered suddenly onto the wrong side of the road.

On Tuesday, Michael Birch, 30, pleaded guilty in the NT Supreme Court to dangerous driving causing death and several drug-related charges.

The court heard the tragic incident had been witnessed by a film crew, which told police the victim was knocked unconscious and died at the scene shortly thereafter.

Stephen Yates was tragically killed when he was struck by a Ford Falcon while taking part in a cycling event. Picture: Supplied

According to the prosecution, Birch got out of his car and sat down about 10m away from the victim.

Steve Yates is survived by his two daughters, Lydia and Francis, and his wife Katrina.. Picture: Supplied

Police allege when officers arrived at the scene Birch asked to relieve himself. But when officers inspected the tree he had used they discovered a small bag containing 11g of methamphetamine.

Defence counsel Maclaren Wall told the court his client had long struggled with drugs and was not in a good headspace at the time of the crash.

On the morning of the crash, Birch had been having trouble sleeping and decided to drive to Simpsons Gap to go for a walk and clear his head, the court heard.

Justice Judith Kelly was given a letter from Birch that detailed his remorse.

A letter by Birch was also handed over to Mr Yates’s widow.

Mr Yates is survived by his two daughters in their early teens, Lydia and Francis, and his wife Katrina.

Birch returns to court on March 23 for sentencing.