from Luton Crown Court

Two 17-year-old drivers who had only recently passed their driving tests were allegedly racing when one car went out of control, killing the driver, a jury has been told.

In the dock at Luton Crown Court is Daniel Bishop, now aged 19, who pleads not guilty to causing the death of his friend James McKeegan by dangerous driving on September 1, 2006.

Bishop, of Broadmead Road, Stewartby, was a few days older than James. Both had passed their driving tests in July 2006, within weeks of their birthdays.

James, an apprentice motor technician with Chrysler, from Wootton Green, had his own black Citroen Saxo car, which he had modified with a loud exhaust.

Bishop was driving a blue Ford Focus, said prosecutor Simon Stirling.
At about 11.15 pm on September 1 they both left a friend's house in Millards Close, Cranfield and both had passengers.

"Daniel was in front and James was behind," said Mr Stirling. "They travelled under a mile before the tragic events.

"Witnesses leaving a football club had the distinct impression that they were racing. The black car was on the wrong side of the road trying to overtake and the blue Focus was not allowing it. They estimated their speed at 60mph.

"A few seconds later there was a dull thud. The Saxo had ended up in a ditch on a country road and had flipped onto its roof and tragically James died as a result of the injuries he sustained.

"The Crown say the defendant was racing with him along that stretch of rural road and by racing he was driving dangerously. There was no collision and he was not forcing him off the road, but they took a bend at speed and the Saxo started to yaw and the driver lost control."

He said the maximum speed the bend could be safely negotiated was 70mph and a collision expert estimated the car approached the bend at "something akin to 70 mph".

James' father Michael said the car had been bought in February 2006, ready for when James turned 17. It was serviced and had passed its MoT test before they bought it.

He said his son could not be described as "a typical boy racer".

The case continues.