Young soldier Andrew Elliott died instantly in a tragic car crash after his girlfriend made a fatal "error of judgment".

An inquest heard that driver Katie West cut a corner as she turned her Escort into a Wickford road, causing another car to plough into her.

Andrew, 21, of Church End Lane, Runwell, was killed by the impact. Days later haunted Katie, 18, committed suicide.

The accident happened as the couple, plus their pals Timothy and James Lansdale, returned from a night out at Wickford's Thomas Keeble pub on October 19.

Katie, of The Rowans, Billericay, slowed down on the A132 to turn into Runwell Chase, Wickford, where the Lansdales lived.

Timothy, 21, said: "As soon as we started turning, another car come over the hill towards us. It's a particularly nasty bend and it clicked straight away that there was going to be an accident."

The on-coming car was being driven by Gavin Lloyd, 21, of Downleaze, South Woodham Ferrers.

Mr Lloyd said: "As I approached the brow of the hill I saw headlights in front of me. The vehicle came on to my side of the road."

He braked but skidded and smashed into the side of the Escort. Back seat passenger Andrew was killed outright.

Traffic officer PC Ian Donaldson told Chelmsford Coroner's Court: "If Katie West when positioning her vehicle had moved forward about ten metres she would have clearly seen the approaching car.

"She made an error in the positioning of her vehicle and the Mondeo was unable to avoid the collision."

Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Dr Malcolm Weir told Andrew's family: "I give my sympathy to the family for this and the tragic events that followed and affected so many people."

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