A DRINK-DRIVER who killed a 69-year-old man in a crash has admitted he has "devastated two families".
Thomas Eyre said that, if it were not for his own family, he "would have killed himself" after the accident in which Graham Brandon died.
Eyre, 22, wept in the dock at Derby Crown Court as he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving without insurance.
Mr Brandon's family were in court to hear Eyre plead guilty and he was bailed until August 22 and warned by the judge, Recorder Michael Elsom, that he was likely to face "a lengthy period of custody".
Speaking to the Derby Telegraph on the court steps, an emotional Eyre said: "It was a terrible accident and one I will have to live with for the rest of my life.
"I am truly very, very, sorry to Mr Brandon's family. I have ruined theirs and my own family.
"I have devastated both families and I am struggling to deal with it, as I am sure they are.
"I am struggling to deal with my own actions and, had it not been for my own family, I would have killed myself."
The accident happened at 8.50pm on February 10 in Draycott Road, Breaston.
Eyre, of Milner Avenue, Draycott, said he had been drinking at home and "foolishly" decided to get behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Astra he was not insured to drive.
The precise details of the crash were not read out in court this week but are due to be at his sentencing.
But police said Eyre was driving down Draycott Road, Breaston, towards Long Eaton.
Mr Brandon, of Long Eaton, was travelling in the opposite direction in a Ford Fiesta.
Eyre said: "It was a freak accident. I had been drinking at home. I was a fool, it was a foolish thing to do and it is something that will be with me forever."
Eyre is due to be sentenced next month after pre-sentence reports are prepared.
His barrister, Kevin Webster, said: "My client wants to convey sorrow for what he did.
"He has spent some considerable time in hospital himself following this self-caused accident."
Mr Webster pointed out to the court that Eyre had no previous conviction.
Recorder Elsom granted Eyre unconditional bail.
He told him: "You must understand, everyone must understand, the only possible sentence is a considerable term in prison.
"The only thing that is open at this stage is the length of that sentence."
