A COURT heard how a man was seen driving at more than 80mph moments before a crash that killed a 75-year-old Easingwold man.

Scott Reynolds, 27, of Ingleton Drive, Easingwold, appeared at Northallerton Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to careless driving and driving without insurance.

He was at the wheel of a friend's Ford Escort Cosworth on the A19 between Easingwold and York, on May 15 last year, when he crashed into the side of an Isuzu Trooper that had turned across his path.

Police investigations found that the moment his wheels locked when he braked, he was travelling at 87mph.

Joseph Drury, 75, of York Road, Easingwold, was the front seat passenger in the Isuzu. He died in the accident and his two brothers, who were both in the car, were hurt.

Reynolds was also seriously injured and has since had reconstructive surgery on a leg.

David Tucker, prosecuting, told the court that a police reconstruction found that if Reynolds had been travelling at the 60mph limit, he would have stopped 14 metres short of the Isuzu.

Mr Tucker also read out the evidence of two people who had been overtaken by Reynolds shortly before the accident. They estimated his speed at between 80 and 100mph.

Mitigating, Craig Shortcliffe said: "Mr Reynolds did have the right of way. He was the vehicle travelling along the A19 towards Easingwold. It was the other vehicle turning into his path."

Magistrates fined him £1,000, banned him from driving for two years and ordered him to pay £70 costs.

Updated: 10:34 Tuesday, February 10, 2004