Death driver had taken drugs
A driver who crashed into a passing car, killing himself and another motorist, had a cocktail of drugs and alcohol in his system, an inquest was told.
Daniel Bennett had taken drugs which included the animal tranquilliser ketamine.
He had also taken cocaine, amphetamine, ecstacy, alcohol and pep pills within the 24 hours before the crash.
It killed him and 56-year-old physiotherapist Angela Morris, of Osmaston Road, Norton.
The unmarried plumber, aged 26, of Castle Road, Kidderminster, was driving a friend home from a pub along Race Course Lane in Norton last August.
Police investigators said tests had shown Bennett's Toyota Celica had strayed over the centre line at 50 mph, ploughing into a Renault Laguna carrying driver Mrs Morris and her husband Stephen.
Both drivers died but the passengers survived and were at the inquest at Dudley Coroner's Court yesterday.
Dr Simon Elliott, head of forensic toxicology at Birmingham's City Hospital, said the drugs would have had had some influence on Bennett's driving, although it was impossible to say to what extent.
Deputy coroner for the Black Country Sally Scanlon recorded a verdict of death as a result of multiple injuries as a result of a road collision on both victims.
