Domenic Hopkins had just been accepted by the RAF

Domenic Hopkins, 18, a sixth-former from Port Talbot, had put on the hazard light on the A483 in Swansea after losing a wheel in the early hours.

Richard Griffith Davies, 22, from the Birchgrove area of the city, denies causing death by dangerous driving.

The case continues at Swansea Crown Court.

The court was told that Mr Hopkins' Vauxhall Tigra lost a wheel as he drove along Fabian Way, Swansea, on 4 March 2006.

He parked in the inside lane of the dual carriageway and put on the flashing hazard lights.

James Jenkins, prosecuting, said Mr Hopkins got out to inspect a rear offside wheel arch and his two passengers, Natalie Gill and Leah Grange, also got out.

Any sober driver paying attention, whatever traffic was on that road, could not have failed to see the Tigra parked at the side James Jenkins, prosecuting

Mr Hopkins told them to stand on the verge, where they would be safer.

The wheel had bounced across the road and come to rest in a bus stop lay-by.

As Mr Hopkins searched in the boot, Mr Davies approached in his Vauxhall Corsa, while Miss Gill had got back into the Tigra.

Mr Jenkins said the Corsa appeared to be "snaking" across the road.

'Figment of his imagination'

Miss Grange later told police "I wanted to shout to Domenic to move out of the way but the words would not come out."

The Corsa hit the back of the Tigra at between 50-55mph, killing Mr Hopkins.

Mr Jenkins said Mr Davies got out of the Corsa "rubbing his head."

Claims of another vehicle were 'simply untrue' said the prosecution

On seeing Miss Grange talking to a woman motorist who had stopped at the scene he told her to "shut up."

Mr Jenkins said Mr Davies failed a breath test and a later test showed a drink level of 86 compared to the limit of 35.

A "back calculation" allowing for the passage of time put his level at the moment of impact as between 92 and 102.

Mr Jenkins said they argued that Mr Davies' explanation was simply untrue.

He maintained he had moved to the outside carriageway to overtake a car but that vehicle had also moved to the right.

Mr Davies then returned to the inside carriageway just as he reached the point where the Tigra was parked.

But Mr Jenkins said the other vehicle was "a figment of his imagination."

During the five minutes Mr Hopkins had been parked only a lorry had passed by.

He said that just about the only honest statement Mr Davies made was when he told a police officer: "I have had about six pints. It is all my fault."

Mr Jenkins added: "Any sober driver paying attention, whatever traffic was on that road, could not have failed to see the Tigra parked at the side."