A DRINK driver who caused the death of his passenger in a devastating collision has been jailed.

At 9.10pm on February 11, 2016, Tony Reed, 27, lost control of his blue Subaru Impreza on Bishop’s Lane.

The car struck some trees before bouncing across the carriageway and landing 12 metres north on the other side of the road.

Daniel Roach, a 29-year-old from Finchampstead, sustained serious injuries in the crash and died on the way to hospital.

It was later found that Reed was driving inappropriately for the road conditions at the time of the collision and was over the legal alcohol limit.

After refusing to give blood sample for analysis, Reed was released from hospital and arrested. During interview he refused to answer questions.

Following sentencing senior investigating officer, Police Constable Dave Beeson of the serious collision investigation unit based at Three Mile Cross, said: “Our thoughts remain with Daniel’s family at this difficult time. They have been very patient throughout the past 16 months during the police investigation.

“Since the collision, Reed has always answered ‘no comment’ to all questions put before him, and as he failed to provide an evidential sample, we will never fully know exactly what was in his system at the time of the collision.

“I hope that Daniel’s family can find some closure with this result, and that Reed realises the seriousness of his actions and the tragic consequences that they resulted in.”

Tony Reed, of Fifield Road, Bray, pleaded guilty to the offence on June 16 and appeared at Reading Crown Court on June 27 where he was sentenced to a five year and eight month custodial sentence, and a seven year and ten month driving disqualification.