'The Porsche was coming straight at me. I thought that was it': Death crash trial of Robert Beach hears from Mercedes driver

A MOTORIST told a jury he thought he was going to die when a Porsche drove into his car.

Robert Andrew Beach, 36, was driving his Porsche 911 Carrera when he crashed into a Mercedes, killing his passenger and friend Marc Putnam.

Beach was driving along Priory Way, Hessle, when he lost control as he negotiated a roundabout.

The Porsche ended up on the wrong side of the road, heading into the path of the oncoming Mercedes driven by Graham Aylott.

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Beach is on trial at Hull Crown Court accused of causing death by careless driving while unfit through drugs.

Mr Aylott told the court: "I saw the Porsche in the other lane, it had just come off the roundabout. It twitched at the back and I saw the driver turning the wheel and come straight at me.

"I knew this car was going to hit me and I thought I was going to die. He lost control and the driver was coming across the two lanes straight at me.

"I saw his face and him at the wheel, I just knew he was going to hit me and there was no way he was going to miss me.

"He was coming at some speed and I just thought that was it.

"I was so angry. I just thought some idiot is coming at me with speed and there's nothing I can do about it. I was badly shaken, I didn't know what was happening I was very scared.

"I'm just lucky to be here."

He told the court his car was filling with smoke and he had to climb out of the passenger window to escape.

Mr Putnam, 30, was in the passenger seat of the Porsche and took the full brunt of the crash.

Beach has already pleaded guilty to causing his friend's death by careless driving on January 26 last year.

The prosecution alleges he was driving at speeds of up to 50mph on a 30mph stretch, was high on drugs at the time and was unable to handle his high-performance car.

Beach was taken to hospital following the crash and a blood sample was taken.

The court heard his blood contained traces of Class C drug Phenazepam, known as bonsai, which is more powerful than heroin substitute diazepam and is not available in the UK.

The jury was told its side- effects include drowsiness, lightheadedness, disorientation and confusion. It stays in the body for days after being taken.

The court heard Beach later told the police his friend had asked him to change course at the last minute to go to a supermarket.

He said the change of direction caused his car to "go out of control".

The Porsche was travelling from the Hessle Road roundabout towards the A63 when it crashed into a black Mercedes, which then hit a Fiat Stilo.

Carl Fee was driving the Fiat behind the Mercedes and called the emergency services.

He told the court: "I just noticed the oncoming Porsche 911 because everyone knows what they look like. I noticed a sudden movement, it twitched from left to right and suddenly fishtailed and swerved across the road.

"It was a shock to me because I had never seen a crash before. It slammed so violently. The impact between the two vehicles nearly raised them off the ground."

Beach, of Thoresby Street, west Hull, denies causing death by careless driving while unfit through drugs. The trial continues.