A POPULAR amateur footballer died after smashing into an overturned vehicle which had crashed just minutes before, a court heard.

Max Mayo, 30, was driving at 100mph when he crashed into Liam O’Brien’s Range Rover in London Road, Kelvedon, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

Just two minutes prior, O’Brien, 33, had collided with another vehicle driven by Gary Lord, causing his vehicle to roll several times before stopping on its side on September 3 last year.

Peter Gair, prosecuting, said other motorists got out of their cars to provide assistance at the scene shortly before 9.40pm.

Gazette: Cordon - a police car blocks London Road in Kelvedon following a series of crashesCordon - a police car blocks London Road in Kelvedon following a series of crashes (Image: Essex Police)

CCTV footage played to the court showed Mr Mayo, from Feering, overtake the stationary vehicles while accelerating to 100mph, before striking the Range Rover.

The 30-year-old, who played football for Hatfield Peverel FC, died at the scene from “severe chest injuries” he sustained.

Mr Gair said he was not wearing a seatbelt and a toxicology test revealed he was double the legal alcohol limit and four times the legal driving limit for cocaine.

The impact of Mr Mayo’s Audi crashing into O’Brien’s car sent debris flying across London Road.

Gazette: Tragedy - Max Mayo died during the incident in KelvedonTragedy - Max Mayo died during the incident in Kelvedon (Image: Kelvedon Social FC)

Scott Bigden, who had got out of his vehicle to help Mr Lord, was airlifted to hospital with a bleed on the brain after being struck by a car part.

Suzanne Padbury, who was walking home, also suffered a six-inch laceration from loose debris.

O’Brien, of Navarre Gardens, Romford, made off on foot before Mr Mayo arrived but was later located and arrested.

He denies causing death by dangerous driving and two offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Mr Gair said: “You do not have to be still behind the wheel, still driving when the death or serious injury is caused.”

The prosecutor told the jury: “By driving dangerously, the defendant caused collision number one, causing his car to roll over and block London Road.”

He argued if O’Brien was not driving dangerously, there would not have been a blocked road for Mr Mayo to crash into.

O’Brien has admitted charges of perverting the course of justice, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and dangerous driving.

  • The trial continues.