Cannabis played "a critical" role in the actions of a Hampshire motorist who drove in a "stupid and dangerous" way and caused a collision which resulted in the death of a woman.

Steven Agar, 37, of Harris Road, Gosport, was jailed for three and a half years after his careless driving caused the death of a woman in Droxford

Portsmouth Crown Court heard how Agar, at the wheel an Audi A4, had already overtaken one care on the A32 Wickham Road, when he attempted pass a second as he approached a bend.

As he did this, he narrowly avoided a head-on collision with one car but he lost control of the Audi, which crossed the carriageway and collided with a Mazda.

Gena Close, 56, a backseat passenger in the Mazda, and died as a result of her injuries at Southampton General Hospital.

The Mazda driver, a 77-year-old man, and front seat passenger, a 57-year-old woman, were also injured and taken to hospital.

Agar escaped uninjured from the crash which occurred at 5pm on August 23

The court heard that witnesses had reported that Agar’s Audi had been travelling “way too fast” and in a “stupid and dangerous” way.

Tests later revealed that Agar had 2.3micrograms of THC (cannabis) in his system. The legal limit is two micrograms.

Agar pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without due care or consideration whilst over the specified limit of a controlled drug.

In addition to his prison sentence Agar was disqualified from driving for five years.

The judge told Agar that the cannabis he had taken played a “critical role” in what happened that day.

Road safety officer PC Dave Mitchell, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “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.

“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.”