A MOTORIST who witnessed a fatal collision says a man accused of murder didn’t have much time to correct themselves before the moment of contact.

Tony Free was driving in Marine Parade, Dovercourt, when he witnessed the collision between Kerrin Repman and Keith McCarthy on April 15, 2020.

The eyewitness admitted what he saw was “shocking” and “upsetting” and it all happened in a “split-second”.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard Mr Free saw both vehicles coming up behind him before Kerrin overtook him.

Mr Free said he then slowed and moved aside as a hearse was coming towards him in the other direction and the distance between himself and McCarthy’s BMW was “getting nearer and nearer”.

He admitted his initial concern was he was going to be struck by the BMW and he had moved to protect himself, but was also concerned about the hearse being hit.

McCarthy, 42, then moved through the newly-created gap “at speed” before cutting in, adjusting his position on the road and striking the rear of Kerrin’s moped.

The court heard Mr Free then witnessed the father-of-three come off the moped and skid along the surface.