Man jailed for causing death by dangerous driving

Sammy Edwards, from Lake House, Marsh, near Aylesbury, was found guilty at Reading Crown Court today, of causing the death by dangerous driving of 18-year-old Greg Stiles in May 2009. He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

At about 2.40pm on Sunday, May 17, 2009, Greg Stiles and his girlfriend Abigail Dowdy were travelling in a blue Ford Fiesta on the A4129, Risborough Road, from Kingsey to Longwick.

Edwards was driving a blue BMW X5 and dangerously overtook three cars at high speed, forcing Greg Stiles to take avoiding action resulting in him swerving into another vehicle.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and Abigail was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, with serious injuries. A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said she had since recovered from her injuries.

Edwards did not stop at the scene of the collision. After extensive witness appeals and a thorough investigation by the Roads Policing Department, Edwards was arrested on May 27, 2009.

Officers continued to gather evidence to prove Edwards was responsible for the collision and he was charged in February 2010.

PC Phil Hanham, senior investigating officer, said: “Edwards’s vehicle made no contact in the collision and failed to stop at the scene, therefore officers had no physical evidence to tie Edwards or his vehicle to the collision.

"The investigation team relied on good investigation techniques using CCTV from various locations in Buckinghamshire, ANPR and mobile phone data downloads to prove Edwards was at the scene and caused the collision in which Greg died.

“Edwards has never taken responsibility for his actions and changed his story in interview three times in an attempt to evade justice.

"I am pleased he has been sent to prison for causing the death on an 18-year-old man with his whole life ahead of him, and seriously injuring another person. I hope he has time to reflect on the pain and devastation he has caused Greg’s family and friends.”