The jury in the trial of a driving instructor who is accused of causing death by dangerous driving while racing another high-performance car on a dual carriageway was sent home last night after they were unable to reach a verdict.

Michael Lopez, 28, is accused of racing a Lexus on the A177 near Wolviston, Billingham, Teesside, before the Lexus crashed killing a backseat passenger.

Mr Lopez, who trains driving instructors, has denied they were racing and he said that the Lexus clipped the front of his Audi S2 Quattro when it suddenly pulled into the outside lane.

The prosecution claims that Mr Lopez was driving at 113mph and the Lexus at 109mph at the time that the Lexus hit a tree in the central reservation.

Yesterday, giving evidence at Teesside Crown Court, Mr Lopez said: "I was fully in control of that vehicle.

"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I believe it could have been anyone who was there."

Mr Lopez of Sycamore Road, Fishburn, County Durham, denies causing the death of Leslie Clark, 54, from Trimdon Avenue, Acklam, Middlesbrough, by dangerous driving on June 21 last year.

The Lexus driver, David Matthews 35, from Middle Lane, Wolviston, pleaded guilty on Monday to causing death by dangerous driving, and he was remanded on bail for pre-sentence and medical reports.