Couple killed in '113mph crash'

Mark Crompton and Jodie Brown were phoning for help when they were hit

A couple were killed when they were hit by a car driven at 113mph (182kph) by a Lincolnshire woman who was over the drink-drive limit, a court has heard.

Mary Butres, 47, of St Mary's Street, Stamford, lost control of a Jaguar XJ8 on the A1 near Grantham on 12 May 2007, Nottingham Crown Court was told.

The car hit a Ford Fiesta which had broken down before ploughing into Mark Crompton, 20, and Jodie Brown, 19.

The couple were walking away from their car to get help when they were hit.

Mr Crompton and his girlfriend, from Swinstead in Lincolnshire, were phoning for help after their vehicle broke down near the central reservation at Great Ponton, when they were hit.

The impact was so powerful they were hurled onto the opposite carriageway, the jury heard.

I was travelling within the speed limit and I was not overtaking, I don't think it was my fault. Mary Butres in police statement

Mr Crompton was pronounced dead at the scene and Ms Brown died a short time later in Grantham Hospital.

Ms Butres and her passenger John Nichols, who owned the car, were returning from a day at Nottingham racecourse.

Giving evidence Pc Stuart Jeffs, who interviewed Ms Butres after the crash, said: "She (Butres) smelt of alcohol. She said: 'All I could see was the car coming towards my lane.

"'I reacted to that and swerved. I was travelling within the speed limit and I was not overtaking. I saw the car in the central reservation. I don't think it was my fault'."

A breath test showed Butres was one-and-a-half times over the legal limit, and the Jaguar's computer recorded the car was travelling at 113mph (182kph) at the moment of the crash, the court heard.

Prosecutor Michael Fowler told the court Mr Nichols could have prevented his partner from causing the tragedy.

Ms Butres, of Stamford, and Mr Nichols of Manor Road, Carlby, both Lincolnshire, deny two charges of causing death by dangerous driving.

The trial continues.