A driver faces prosecution after a three-vehicle smash which killed another motorist and put her in hospital.

Witnesses described seeing Carrie Francombe, of Hill Rise, Woodstock, swerve across the A44 just outside Woodstock and smash into a heavy truck.

An Oxford inquest heard the truck then went out of control and smashed into a van, killing the driver, 55-year-old Christopher Haines, of Woodstock Road, Begbroke.

Australian tourist Phillip Gibson, who witnessed the accident in September last year, said in a statement that he saw Miss Francombe's car suddenly cross the road and hit the truck.

"The impact happened so quickly that the driver of the grey truck would not have had time to react," he said.

In an interview with police which was read to the inquest, Miss Francombe said she had had the car for just two days. She could remember nothing about the accident.

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Police said Miss Francombe faced criminal charges as a result of the crash.

Story date: Thursday 18 February

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