A SPEEDING motorist has told a jury he was not involved in a daring road “duel” with a friend who lost control of his own car and was involved in a catastrophic crash which claimed his life.
Steven Parker, 23, died when his high-powered BMW 335D X Drive left the A596 Wigton bypass and demolished two trees just before 5pm on February 3, 2018.
Moments before, Mr Parker was travelling close behind pal Liam John Dixon’s modified Vauxhall Corsa in what is alleged to have been a “ludicrously high speed joust”.
Dixon, 27, of Throstle Avenue, Wigton, is on trial at Carlisle Crown Court. He admits dangerous driving by excessive speed, but denies causing Mr Parker’s death by dangerous driving.
Another motorist and eyewitness has described seeing two cars “absolutely flying”, “half a car length” apart before the crash.
Two experts have agreed the vehicles were travelling “at least 100mph” – twice the legal 50mph limit for that stretch of road – although a police collision investigator concluded the speed was “most likely around 118mph as probably a minimum”.
The experts also agree there wouldn’t have been enough space for Mr Parker – who wasn’t wearing a seatbelt – to react to any emergency that occurred on the damp road because of his close proximity to his friend’s Corsa.
Jurors have heard the two men were friends with a “shared interest in fast and powerful cars”.
In a police interview, Dixon said Mr Parker was “bad for racing”, “always a fast driver” and described him overtaking his Corsa “aggressively” immediately before the crash.
Dixon told jurors today (WED) he had driven around Wigton separately from Mr Parker on February 3. Mr Parker overtook him on the town bypass and later pulled behind him as they travelled west.
Dixon admitted twice putting his foot down. “There was no reason,” he explained, “but that’s what I go to the bypass to do.”
His barrister, Kim Whittlestone, asked: “Were you seeking to encourage Mr Parker to catch up with you?”
“No. Definitely not,” replied Dixon.
“It will be suggested by the prosecution that there has been some kind of burnout or duel,” said Miss Whittlestone. “Were you involved in anything like that?”
Dixon responded: “No. I didn’t see any of this like that.”
The trial continues.
