Drug driver who fatally struck cyclist west of Alice Springs handed down sentence

An Alice Springs man who got behind the wheel of his Ford ute while high on meth and fatally struck a cyclist has been sentenced at the NT Supreme Court.

AN Alice Springs man who got behind the wheel of his Ford ute while high on meth and fatally struck a cyclist will spend at least two years and nine months behind bars.

Michael Birch, 30, was sentenced on Wednesday at the Northern Territory Supreme Court over the 2021 crash which killed 57-year-old Steve Yates almost instantly.

Steve Yates had been competing in a cycling event west of Alice Springs when he was fatally struck by a drug driver. Picture: Supplied

Mr Yates had been participating at a Saturday morning cycling event on March 6 in Simpsons Gap, west of Alice Springs, when Birch suddenly veered onto the wrong side of road and collided with him, knocking the 57-year-old unconscious and severely injuring him.

Following the crash Birch, appearing to be in shock, got out the car and sat on the road 10m from Mr Yates while passer-bys – and later paramedics – performed CPR to no avail.

Police conducted a roadside drug test at the scene and Birch returned a positive result for methamphetamine.

When police arrived at the scene, Birch went to relieve himself behind a nearby tree, but when officers inspected the area they discovered he had disposed of 11g of methamphetamine.

Police arrested Birch and a search of his vehicle turned up more than $2000 cash, dime bags and a small set of scales, which Birch told officers were for weighing opals. He later conceded this was false.

In sentencing, Justice Judith Kelly described Birch’s offending as “reckless”, but noted the 30-year-old had not been speeding at the time of the crash.

Steve Yates was tragically killed in a cycling accident in Alice Springs. Picture: Supplied

“You’ve pleaded guilty and I do accept that you are remorseful,” she said.

“You need to be made of stone not to be remorseful, given the consequences.”

In her vicim impact statement, Mr Yates’ wife Katrina spoke of her “loss, grief and pain” and the “great change in her life” following her partner’s death.

Mrs Yates also spoke about the loss suffered by their two teenage daughters.

The court heard Birch has been diagnosed with severe substance abuse disorder, and he believes he’s been a drug addict since he was eight years old.

Several offences committed by Birch relating to the theft of a Holden ute prior to the crash were also included in his sentence.

Justice Kelly handed down a head sentence of five-and-a-half years, with a non-parole period of two years and nine months.

Birch’s Ford ute was forfeited and the 30-year-old was ordered to pay $10,000 in compensation to the owner of the stolen vehicle within 12 months of his release from prison.