A DRIVING instructor on trial for causing death by dangerous driving told a jury yesterday that his car was clipped by another one as he was overtaking.

Michael Lopez, 28, who trains driving instructors, told Teesside Crown Court that his Audi S2 Quattro was alongside the black Lexus IS200 on a dual carriageway on the A177 near Wolviston, near Billingham, Teesside, when the Lexus moved out and clipped the front of his car.

The Lexus hit a tree in the central reservation at about 80 or 90mph, killing passenger Leslie Clark, 54, from Trimdon Avenue, in Acklam, Middlesbrough.

Mr Lopez, who also trains company drivers, denied prosecution claims the cars were racing.

He also denied his Audi was doing 113mph when the accident happened.

He said he was heading to his nearby home to collect a driving school car on a stretch of road that he travelled on up to five times a day.

He said the Lexus began to accelerate as he pulled alongside, adding: "It made a very sudden movement to the right hand side and it clipped the front end of my car.

"I do not think that anything I did caused the Lexus to make that move.

"I was trying to avoid contact, but the Lexus moved across that quickly that it was impossible.

"I do not consider that my driving was dangerous in any way."

Mr Lopez of Sycamore Road, Fishburn, County Durham, denies causing death by dangerous driving on June 21 last year.

The case continues.

Yesterday, the Lexus driver, David Matthews, 35, of Middle Lane, Wolviston, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was remanded on bail for reports.