A teenager died in a car crash when his friend lost control on the way to a party, an inquest heard.

Student Ben Eason, 19, was killed in the crash on the A227 Gravesend Road in Vigo on April 3, 2010 after James Haley, now 20, lost control of his Citroen Saxo at about 3am.

Haley previously admitted causing death by driving without due care and attention and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, ordered to carry out 300 hours’ unpaid work, and pay £85 costs.
He was banned from driving for three years.

Passenger Luke Cuttill, of Timber Bank, Vigo, told how the group had been out clubbing before Mr Eason invited them back to his Kings Hill home for “an open house party.”

Haley, of Fairfield Road, Borough Green, told police he had swerved to avoid a taxi causing him to veer across the road.

The car hit a grass verge and rolled over two-and-a-half times before ending up on its roof.

PC Andrew Sutherland, of Kent Police Collision Investigation Unit, told the inquest at Gravesend Adult Educaton Centre in Darnley Road that it appeared Mr Eason was not wearing a seat belt.

Haley told the Messenger after the inquest: “Ben was a good friend and I miss him greatly. I am sorry it happened.”
Coroner Roger Hatch recorded a verdict of accidental death.