A MOTORIST who caused the death of a teenager and left his girlfriend in a coma by driving dangerously has been jailed for five years.

Sammy Edwards changed his story three times in a bid to avoid being caught by officers investigating the death of 18-year-old Greg Stiles from Thame, police said today.

Jurors at Reading Crown Court heard 26-year-old Edwards dangerously overtook three cars while driving along the A4129 Risborough Road near Kingsey on May 17 last year as a car being driven by Mr Stiles approached in the opposite direction. Witnesses said he was driving at speeds of up to 80mph.

Mr Stiles was forced to swerve off the road to avoid hitting Edwards' car – but he ended up colliding with another vehicle.

He died in the collision and his girlfriend, Abi Dowdy from Prestwood, was in a coma.

Edwards, of Marsh, near Aylesbury, was first arrested on May 27 last year but was not charged until February as police put together the evidence that led to his conviction.

Speaking after sentencing, investigating officer PC Phil Hanham said: “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.”

Referring to the investigation that led to the arrest, PC Hanham 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.”