Drugged Driver Jailed for Deadly Droxford Crash
A drug-fuelled driver has been locked up for three and a half years after a fatal smash in Droxford claimed the life of a woman. Steven Agar, 37, from Gosport, admitted causing death by careless driving while over the legal limit for cannabis at Portsmouth Crown Court.
Speeding Audi Blamed for Tragedy
On August 23, at around 5pm, Agar was behind the wheel of his Audi A4 on the A32 Wickham Road. The court heard he had already overtaken one vehicle when he recklessly went for a second overtake near a bend. Agar narrowly missed a head-on crash but then lost control, veering into the path of a Mazda.
Gena Close, 56, was a backseat passenger in the Mazda. She suffered fatal injuries and later died in Southampton General Hospital. The Mazda’s 77-year-old driver and 57-year-old front passenger were both hurt and hospitalised. Agar escaped without injury.
Witnesses Slam Dangerous Driving
Bystanders described Agar’s Audi as “way too fast” and driving in a “stupid and dangerous” manner. A drug test revealed Agar had 2.3 micrograms of THC (cannabis) in his system — over the 2 microgram legal limit.
Judge slammed Agar, saying the cannabis played a “critical role” in the crash. Agar was sentenced to three years and six months behind bars and banned from driving for five years.
Police Warn of Deadly Cannabis Impact
“There was no need for Agar to overtake those vehicles that day, he was simply being impatient and that has resulted in the death of Gena Close, leaving her loved ones devastated,” said PC Dave Mitchell of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit.
“Agar not only drove carelessly, he did so after taking cannabis, ignoring all the warnings. Cannabis can severely impact someone’s ability to drive, such as distorting the driver’s perception of space and time.
“In this case Agar attempted to overtake as he approached a bend, where there was insufficient space and time to do so safely.
“Had Agar decided not to take cannabis prior to driving, and had he not made a reckless overtake, then this collision and its tragic consequences would not have happened.”
