A driver high on Xanax who fled the scene of a fatal crash has been jailed.

Daniel Odame-Danquah was driving a white Mercedes GLA when, as he approached a left hand bend, he crossed over the double white lines onto the opposite side of the road.

He smashed into 33 year-old Usama Karbhari's oncoming grey Volkswagen Golf.

As emergency services tried in vain to save the father of one's life, Odame-Danquah fled the scene.

Essex Police caught up with the 30 year-old the following day.

Speaking after Odame-Danquah's sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court today, retired detective constable Pete Harris, who was the case's investigating officer, said: “Odame-Danquah actions were reckless and cost Mr Kharbari his life.

“I hope this verdict will come as some solace to Mr Karbhari’s family.”

Odane-Danquah was driving along Crooked Mile in Waltham Abbey at 3.45am on July 3, 2016 when the crash happened.

The driver of private hire taxi, which had been in front of Odame-Danquah’s Mercedes, heard the collision and stopped to help.

After being helped out of his car, Odame-Danquah called a friend who picked him up and left the scene.

Mr Karbhari was first take to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow before being transferred to the Royal London Hospital where he died from his injuries later that day.

As officers searched Odame-Danquah’s home address they his brother Leon's voice, who told them he had recently spoken to him.

When the officers asked Leon to show them his phone and the communications he refused and became obstructive.

He was then arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and his phone was later found in his bedroom.

Daniel Odame-Danquah was found and arrested in St Leonards Road, Nazeing at around 10.20am that morning and was taken to hospital after complaining of pain to his ribs and legs.

While at hospital a blood sample was taken for toxicology tests which later showed he had 11 micrograms of the prescription drug Alprazolam per litre of blood in his system.

Alprazolam - often known by its brand name Xanax - is a prescription-only drug which causes side effects including sedation, and impaired concentration and co-ordination.

Odame-Danquah had never been given or prescribed Alprazolam by his doctor.

On October 31, 2017 both men were charged.

Det-con Pete Harris said: "Daniel Odame-Danquah was driving under the influence of a prescription drug for which he had never had a prescription, but one which impacted on his ability behind the wheel.

“Driving under the influence of drugs can significantly impair your ability to react to something on the road and the results can be fatal.

“What makes it worse is that both he and his brother went out of their way to obstruct our investigation."

Daniel Odame-Danquah, 30, of St Leonards Road, Nazeing, was charged with causing death by careless driving while impaired through drugs, perverting the course of justice, and failing to disclose a pin code for his phone.

He was also later charged with failing to stop at the scene of a collision and failing to report a collision.

Leon Odame-Danquah, 35, of St Leonards Road, Nazeing, was charged with failing to disclose a pin code for his phone.

At Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday, July 3 2018, Daniel Odame-Danquah pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while impaired through drugs, failing to stop at the scene of a collision, and failing to report a collision.

His brother Leon had pleaded guilty to failing provide his pin code at an earlier hearing.

At Chelmsford Crown Court today (July 25), Daniel Odame-Danquah was sentenced to five years in prison and disqualified from driving for five-and-a-half years.

Leon was fined £1,000 and told to pay £650 costs.