Driver charged on death crash

A driver from Stourbridge has been charged with causing the death of an England under-21s kickboxing champion and another teenager in a car crash.

The 20-year-old man is accused of causing the death by dangerous driving of Sam Cox, pictured, formerly known as Sam Passey, of Calewood Road, Quarry Bank and Shane Toogood of Lodge Crescent, Netherton, both aged 19.

He is due to appear before Kidderminster Magistrates on Friday, January 2.

The teenagers were both travelling in a black Volkswagen Golf driven by the accused in Dunley Road, Stourport, on May 18.

The driver of a red Golf, a 19-year-old man from Brierley Hill, had also been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, but no further action is to be taken against him.

Sam was a landscape gardener at his father's business, Waterside Fencing. His friend had completed an apprenticeship at Birmingham Construction College, after which he worked as a roofer.

The oldest of four brothers, Sam had also represented the under-21s Shropshire County and England Darts team.

After the crash, a joint statement released by the families of the two teenagers paid tribute to them.

It said: "Sam was a loyal and protective lad, living his life to the max. His second family were his close friends who he called his Lodge Farm brothers.

"Shane, like Sam, was loyal and protective of family and friends and it gives the two families great comfort they are together."