A PENSIONER died after the car he was driving collided with a lorry performing a U-turn on the A64, a court heard.

Prosecuting barrister Peter Moulson told a jury at York Crown Court that Anthony Jackson had fallen asleep at the wheel of his Mercedes goods vehicle before the accident which killed 74-year-old Ronald Dakin.

Mr Dakin, of Lingholme Lane, Lebberston, Scarborough, suffered a ruptured spleen in the accident, which took place at about midnight on the A64, near Copmanthorpe, on September 14, 2000.

His passenger, Lisa Thompson, escaped with bad bruising to her ankles, wrist and chest.

Jackson, 41, of St Paul's Terrace, Holgate Road, York, is charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Opening the case for the prosecution, Mr Moulson told the court that Jackson was trying to travel towards London when he became "lost and disorientated".

"Mr Dakin was driving his BMW on the A64, in York. He had a passenger, Lisa Thompson. They were going from Bradford to Scarborough.

"They had travelled (on the route) every week for about two and a half years," said Mr Moulson. "He was in the outside lane, but as they approached the Copmanthorpe interchange, a lorry was being driven by the defendant. A collision occurred.

"The defendant was arrested by police. In his first interview... he said he was going on the A64 and he began to nod off.

"The Crown will invite you (the jury) to draw the conclusion that the defendant was lost and somewhat disorientated. Police and accident investigators concluded the defendant was attempting a U-turn at the time of the collision.

"Jackson mentioned that he had fallen asleep (at the wheel), but had awoken in time and had undertaken a reversing manoeuvre.

"The Crown will contend that he lied to the police.

"He conducted what he knew was a dangerous manoeuvre which resulted in the death."

Jackson has pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

The case continues.

Updated: 14:31 Thursday, January 03, 2002