A 30-year-old Indian-origin man and his co-passenger were killed as a result of speeding to beat the traffic lights in north-east England, an inquest into their death was told today.
Sagar Chadha, speeding at about 120mph before the fatal crash that killed him and 17-year-old Mohammed Amin Ahmadi on New Year's Day this year, the inquest said.
Mr Chadha also had cannabis in his system when his Nissan GT-R careered into a lamp post and flung into a tree.
He was found trapped in the driver's seat and suffered catastrophic head injuries, organ damage and broken bones, and was found dead by the paramedics.
Mohammed Amin Ahmadi also sustained severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance crews.
Specialist collision investigator, PC Allan Brown, told the coroner that in his view, "Sagar Chadha was instrumental in his own demise, and that of Mohammad Ahmadi."
The fast speed, as well as Mr Chadha's tyres, which had an illegally low tread depth were not suitable for the cold conditions, may have been the reasons for the crash, Chronicle Live reported.
Senior Coroner Karen Dilks recorded a verdict of death by road traffic collision for both Mr Chadha and Mohammed at Newcastle Civic Centre.
"For reasons that will remain unknown, Mr Chadha decided to drive the vehicle at significant speed and in a manner which led to his loss of control of the vehicle and a catastrophic collision," she concluded.
After a New Year's Eve night out, Mr Chadha had piled four friends, including Mohammed, into his two-door car, which only had enough seats for three passengers.
The other passengers were injured.
