A DRIVER accused of killing a teacher in a head-on crash after overtaking two cars has claimed that the road was clear up to a quarter of a mile ahead.

Christopher Hornsey, giving evidence at Teesside Crown Court, said he had only seen the headlights of Jennifer Askew's car for a "split second" and did not have time to avoid a collision.

Mrs Askew, 54, died after Mr Hornsey's Peugeot 306 crashed head-on into her Ford Fiesta on the C18A road, between Howden-le-Wear and Witton-le-Wear, County Durham, on March 7, last year.

Cross examined by Christine Egerton, he denied he was impatient to get home and that he had pulled out to see if his friend was driving a Citroen Saxo in front of his car.

Mrs Egerton said: "You made a completely unnecessary manoeuvre in overtaking didn't you?"

Mr Hornsey replied: "I realise that now."

He accepted he had taken a risk but thought the road was clear.

The jury was shown a picture of the roadscene taken by Mike Natt, a former senior accident investigator with North Yorkshire Police for 22 years.

It showed that a dip in the road when approaching the brow of a hill between Howden-le-Wear and Witton could conceal approaching vehicles.

Stephen Ashurst, for Mr Hornsey, who denies causing death by dangerous driving, said some vehicles could remain out of sight for up to nine seconds, depending on their speed.

Mr Hornsey, 21, a forestry machine operator, of Holy House, Witton-le-Wear, was celebrating his birthday on the day of the crash and was travelling to see his parents before going out for the night.

The trial continues.