A MAN who caused the death of a young sales consultant while test-driving a sports car two years ago was jailed for seven months and banned from driving for 10 years on Wednesday.

Regan Lee Da Wen (left), 26, originally accused of causing death by dangerous driving, admitted to an amended charge of causing the death of Ms Angelia He Xueli, 22, by a rash act along Upper Paya Lebar Road on Oct 29, 2005.

Ms He, an only child, died of multiple injuries about an hour later in hospital.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Imran Abdul Hamid said Lee, now unemployed, was driving at a fast speed in the open-top convertible with Ms He beside him when he failed to control the two-seater after negotiating a left bend.

The Mazda veered towards the right, mounted the central island and went to the opposite side of the road, hitting Mr Raymond Lim Tai Teck's BMW car.

The collision caused the Mazda to flip over and upwards violently before landing and hitting the roof of a van, driven by Mr Chng Hak Tiong.

Mr Lim and his four occupants were injured and sent to Changi General Hospital for treatment.

Pleading for leniency, Mr Justin Tay, said his client tendered his full and unqualified apology to all those who had suffered from his actions, especially Ms He's (below, right) bereaved family.

Lee, he said, lost his job in June this year as a result of the adverse publicity. His injuries included concussion and he underwent surgery to remove glass fragments from his left hand.

Counsel said the episode would haunt Lee for the rest of his life and serve as an unforgettable warning against such conduct.

Having waited for two agonising years for the matter to end, his wish was to pick up the remaining pieces of his life and start the next chapter afresh.

Ms He's father, Mr Ho Tuck Fatt, 50, said in a statement that his late daughter had contributed to the family financially.

He said he did not know who would look after him and his wife with his daughter's death.

'Whatever the sentence, it cannot change the fact that my late daughter is already gone forever. I am still angry with the driver.... I am also very sad about the loss of our daughter.'

Lee could have been jailed for up to two years or fined, or both.