THE three men accused of causing the death of Max Lewis by dangerous driving have all been found not guilty by a jury.

But Dan Palmer, who was behind the wheel of the car the 19-year-old was a passenger in, has still been told he is likely to be facing a jail term. And police said after the trial his actions led to Max's death.

The 23-year-old had admitted causing his friend's death by careless driving before the trial started at Swindon Crown Court last week.

Robert Morgan-Jones, for Palmer, asked if a non-custodial sentence could be imposed for the matter to be dealt with immediately.

But Judge Tim Mousley QC said he thought a jail term was highly likely and so the probation service should compile a pre sentence report.

"My view is it clearly passes the custody threshold and I had anticipated that you would want a report, and so I would say there should be a report," he said.

"I am minded to grant him bail. In my view the likelihood is quite obviously an immediate custodial sentence."

He adjourned the case to Tuesday October 6 and released Palmer, of Bowmans Court Julian Drew, of Littlejohn Avenue, and Connor Forester, of Meadow Road, all Melksham, on bail.

The maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving is a five year jail term, shorter than the 14 years for the more serious charge he was cleared of.

The jury of eight men and four women also found 19-year-old Forrester guilty of simple dangerous driving but cleared Julian Drew, 26, of that charge.

Although the jury heard that the younger of the two had never had a lesson in his life they didn't know the same was trued for Drew.

Prosecutors tried to get his previous motoring convictions put before the court but the judge ruled them inadmissible as they had no bearing on how he drove.

Drew, who has been disqualified more than once, was banned from the road in October last year, just a few weeks before the fatal crash, and has never held a licence.

He still has to be sentenced for driving while disqualified, which he admitted, and Forrester for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and without insurance.

It had been alleged that the three men were racing along Forest Lane when Palmer lost control of his Citroen Saxo and hit an oncoming van.

He insisted that he did not believe he was going too fast, something that was backed up by an expert accident investigator he called to give evidence.

Palmer also claimed an oncoming horse transporter was on his side of the road forcing him on to the grass verge, something the driver of it vehemently denied.

When his car returned to the carriageway it collided side on with a large van leaving Max dead and Palmer, who had to be airlifted to hospital, seriously injured.

After the trial Sgt Barrie Card of Wiltshire Police said: "This collision should not have happened.  There was no need for this incident along a quiet country road on a Saturday afternoon back in November 2014. 

"Despite the acquittal of these three men for the primary indictment the court found that it was certainly the actions of Palmer which led to the needless death of Max Lewis.

"I hope this tragic incident has the effect of getting young men to think about the manner of their driving.  Speed was a factor in this collision and I would hope that this may prompt others to consider their speed, particularly on country roads.  This incident shows that driving too fast can have tragic consequences.

"I would also hope this may deter others from driving if they don't hold a driving licence or have insurance."  

Max lived in Baldham, Seend, with his father Brian Atkinson, 54. His mum Nicky Lewis, 50, lives nearby in Martinslade with Max’s older brother Dan, 24.

As a child Max attended Seend Church of England Primary School before going to the then George Ward School in Melksham.

He also spent a year at Wiltshire College's Chippenham campus where he studied engineering.