A FOOTBALLER who died after crashing his car into an overturned vehicle at 100mph was four times over the cocaine limit, an inquest has heard. 

Max Mayo, from Feering, who was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, crashed into an overturned Range Rover on September 3 last year and died at the scene.

An inquest hearing was held in Chelmsford on Friday and led by area coroner for Essex Michelle Brown.

It heard the incident began when Liam O’Brien, who was driving between 59mph and 64mph in London Road, Kelvedon, crashed his Range Rover into a Peugeot which was turning right into a driveway.

After the Range Rover overturned, O’Brien climbed out of the car and left the scene by walking in the direction of the A12. 

Gazette: Missed - Max Mayo, who was a footballer for Hatfield Peverel, had been driving at 100mph through Kelvedon whilst he was under the influence of alcohol and cocaineMissed - Max Mayo, who was a footballer for Hatfield Peverel, had been driving at 100mph through Kelvedon whilst he was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine (Image: Essex Police)

Minutes later, Mr Mayo, who was found to be under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, was driving along the 30mph road at 100mph.

Ms Brown said: “Toxicology testing indicated he was twice over the legal drink drive limit and four times the limit for cocaine.”

The court heard Mr Mayo did not heed the warnings of other cars like flashing lights and the sounding of horns before hitting the Range Rover.

The debris from the Range Rover and Mr Mayo’s Audi struck Scott Bigden, who had got out of his car to help, and Suzanne Padbury, who was walking home.

Ms Brown said Mr Mayo was also not wearing a seatbelt.

She said they were "overwhelming intervening factors" that caused his death.

Gazette: Jailed - Liam O'Brien was imprisoned for three years after admitting six charges, including one of perverting the course of justice Jailed - Liam O'Brien was imprisoned for three years after admitting six charges, including one of perverting the course of justice (Image: Essex Police)

O’Brien was jailed for three years after admitting charges of dangerous driving, perverting the course of justice, failing to stop at the scene of a collision, failing to report a collision, driving with no insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He was cleared of causing the death of Mr Mayo by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, whilst Humphrey admitted perverting the course of justice.

Gazette: Conclusion - Area Coroner for Essex closed the inquest on Friday by finding that Max Mayo died due to a road traffic accident, exacerbated due to alcohol and drugs Conclusion - Area Coroner for Essex closed the inquest on Friday by finding that Max Mayo died due to a road traffic accident, exacerbated due to alcohol and drugs (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Ms Brown continued: “This is about how Mayo died, but it’s important to know the context of this.

“The family is aware this is taking place today and are content this takes place in their absence.”

She concluded: “Max Mayo died on September 3 in London Road, in Kelvedon, due to a road traffic accident, exacerbated due to alcohol and drugs.”