A DRUG driving father has been jailed after crashing his car and killing two people.

Jodan Hunt had been drinking and taken cocaine at a wedding when he crashed into Richard Lewis-Clements's car, killing him and his passenger Maria Smith.

Builder Hunt, 24, of Hobart Quay, Eastbourne, pleaded to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for six years.

After laving a wedding at the Cavendish Hotel in Eastbourne on Friday August 12, Hunt was seen driving at twice the speed limit, careering through pedestrian crossings and swerving onto the wrong side of the road before he smashed into the VW Polo in King Edward's Parade at about 9.30pm - causing further damage to a BMW and an Audi.

He then abandoned his black Seat Leon and fled.

Both Mr Lewis-Clements, 46, of Gordon Road, Buxted and Ms Smith, 48, of Edmund Close, Eastbourne, died at the scene.

Police found Hunt a mile away - back at Cavendish Hotel.

In custody he was found to be 16 times the legal limit for cocaine and one and a half times the drink drive limit.

Sergeant Dan Pitcher, of the East Sussex roads policing team, said: "This was a truly tragic incident in which two innocent people have lost their lives, and our thoughts are with the friends and families of the victims at this difficult time.

"The defendant pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and accepts full responsibility for his actions. He expressed extreme remorse in court and he wished to extend his regrets to the family of the deceased.

"Fortunately, this has been a swift process which has led to an immediate custodial sentence for Hunt. It also sends a clear message to others about the dangers of drink and drug-driving, and the severe impact it can have on people.

"The judge described how Hunt is a father with two young children who had not been before the courts before. He had been suffering from depression prior to the collision, however nothing can excuse his actions on that fatal evening, which were both dangerous and highly irresponsible."