A drink-driver who killed a father-of-three on Norfolk roads has died in prison in Norwich.

Warren Fernandez, 45, was serving a six-and-a-half-year sentence after admitting causing Andrew Mackay's death by driving dangerously in April 2008.

He was found in his cell at HMP Norwich at 5.50am on Friday morning but was declared dead shortly after, said a Prison Service spokesman.

'Staff attempted CPR and paramedics attended, but he was pronounced dead at approximately 6.10am,' she said.

'As with all deaths in custody, the Independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation.'

An inquest will be opened into the death of Fernandez, of Bradwell, near Gorleston, by Norfolk coroner William Armstrong in Norwich today.

Fernandez was jailed in November 2008 following the crash in which his silver BMW crossed the central reservation and collided with the Ford Escort driven by Mr Mackay, 38, on the A12 between Hopton and Gorleston.

At the sentencing hearing, Norwich Crown Court was told Fernandez had been driving at such high speeds that when the car left the road and hit the central reservation, it took off and spun 180 degrees in the air as it crossed on to the opposite side of the road and into the path of oncoming traffic.

Mr Mackay, of Kennington Park Road, London, died at the scene and his partner Jacqueline Helder and three children spent three days in hospital.

On the night of the crash, Fernandez had been seen drinking in a pub in Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft, and had also been witnessed driving dangerously on the A12, tailgating vehicles and overtaking.

The court was also told that Fernandez had become abusive towards officers at the scene. He was arrested and blood tests showed him to be twice over the legal limit.

Fernandez had a string of previous convictions for drink driving, driving while disqualified as well as a number of drug convictions, the court heard.

Sentencing Fernandez to six-and-a-half years, Judge Alasdair Darroch told him: 'This is quite an appalling case and you are solely responsible for the tragic consequences of your driving.'