Jason Briars, 54, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal collision on A507 near Maulden in November 2021.
The court heard that Briars was driving with twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system, after spending four and a half hours in a local bar, where he had purchased nine pints of Guinness and a pint of cider.
Despite drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, Briars proceeded to drive his Ford Transit van along the A507 where he veered into oncoming traffic and collided with a Vauxhall Corsa travelling in the opposite direction.
The driver of the Corsa, 83-year-old Thomas De Lacy, sustained serious injuries and later died in hospital.
A witness reported Briars had been driving erratically in the moments leading up to the incident.
After the collision Briars exited his vehicle and appeared to be stumbling. He was also said to have slurred speech.
Briars, of Ampthill Road, Flitwick was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Friday (15 March) having pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at a prior hearing.
He has also been disqualified from driving for four and a half years
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