AN ELDERLY farmer was killed when the driver of a high-performance car slammed into his vehicle at 87mph on the A19 in North Yorkshire, an inquest heard.

Joseph Drury, 75, would not have died if 27-year-old Scott Reynolds had been observing the 60mph speed limit when the crash happened at Tollerton crossroads, coroner Michael Oakley was told.

Blood samples taken after the crash showed traces of cannabis in Mr Reynold's blood, the inquest heard, and it was also told that he was not insured to drive the Ford Cosworth, which belonged to his girlfriend, Christine Brooke.

Mr Oakley heard that Mr Reynolds was not wearing a seatbelt when the accident happened, and the Cosworth's brakes had locked because its ABS system was not working.

Mr Oakley recorded a verdict of unlawful killing on Mr Drury, who was with two of his brothers in an Isuzu Trooper when the fatal crash happened.

The three were turning right into their farmhouse when the Cosworth struck the passenger side of the Trooper at about 55mph.

Mr Drury died of chest injuries suffered in the impact.

Traffic Constable Paul Davenport told the inquest that Mr Reynolds, of Ingleton Drive, Easingwold, would have been travelling at more than 87mph when he saw the Trooper.

TC Davenport said that with or without the faulty brakes, if the car had been travelling within the 60mph speed limit, it would have stopped "14 metres short of the collision point," which it also would have taken longer to reach.

A number of witnesses reported seeing Mr Reynolds, who was not wearing a seatbelt, driving at a fast pace northwards on the A19 before the accident.

Inspector David Hunt, of North Yorkshire Police, said Mr Reynolds overtook him and "accelerated away from me as if I was stationary" as he travelled in his personal BMW.

Bus driver Raymond Elliot, who was behind the Trooper as it travelled from Easingwold, said: "When I looked and saw the car I thought, "he's motoring"."

Mr Reynolds declined to give evidence to the inquest on legal advice, but the coroner read extracts from Mr Reynolds' police interview in which he admitted he was not insured to drive the car.

A blood sample taken from Mr Reynolds revealed traces of cannabis and he told officers that he had taken the drug at a party two months prior to the accident.

But forensic scientist Kirsten Taylor said the drug must have been used between one and three days before the sample was taken.

Police action against Scott Reynolds is ongoing.

Updated: 10:54 Wednesday, November 19, 2003