Driver eight times drug-drive limit in fatal crash

A motorist who died when his BMW hit another car on a roundabout - also killing a school teacher - was found to be eight times over the drug-drive limit.

John Kerrigan, 34, from Romford in east London, and teacher Steven Tibbitt, 54, from Billericay, were both killed in the collision near Chelmsford in March 2025.

Essex Coroner's Court heard Kerrigan had been driving at more than 100mph (161km/h) when the cars collided, and his BMW - which had false number plates - was found nearly 80m (262ft) away in a field.

Kerrigan had cannabis in his system and Essex area coroner Michelle Brown said police would have considered prosecuting Kerrigan had he survived.

She also described it as a "tragic event" and said Kerrigan suffered "extensive and catastrophic injuries".

The inquest at Essex Coroner's Court heard how Kerrigan had driven through several locations during the early hours of 23 March, including along Three Mile Hill, the A130 and the A12.

Kerrigan's average speed along the route was about 71mph (114km/h), the coroner was told.

At the roundabout on Stock Road, at junction 16 for the A12, Brown said he failed to give way to a Ford Mondeo for "reasons unknown".

Kerrigan's BMW hit the side of the Mondeo, which spun around and ended up on top of the middle of the roundabout. Kerrigan's car was reported to have overturned "multiple times".

Tibbitt - a maths teacher at FitzWimarc School in Rayleigh - was a passenger in the rear of the Ford Mondeo, alongside the driver and another passenger.

The inquest heard he and the two long-term friends had been out for the day, playing golf at Stock Brook Manor before enjoying an evening at Acanteen in Chelmsford.

At the time of the crash, the school described Tibbitt as "a much-loved, supportive and committed colleague".

Brown said that if Kerrigan had survived, Essex Police would have considered prosecuting him for causing death by dangerous driving and driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.

The area coroner concluded that Kerrigan died as a result of a road traffic collision, suffering traumatic head and spinal injuries, after travelling at excess speed while under the influence of cannabis.

Brown said it was a "very, very tragic set of circumstances" and offered her sympathies to all the families involved.

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