Driver killed in crash was speeding and over drink drive limit, court hears
A driver died after losing control of his car and crashing into a tree was speeding, an inquest heard.
At an inquest at Smethwick Coroners Court, Pc Paul Robbins, a force collision investigator, estimated the scaffolder had been driving at a speed between 50 to 60 mph along the 30 mph limit road.
He also revealed the results of toxicology reports which found Mr Baker had 143 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. The drink drive limit is 80 mg.
Mr Robbins said: "It would appear that the blue Peugeot was being driven at an excessive speed.
"After travelling over a speed hump witness evidence said the driver lost control.
"When it reached the next set of speed humps the car rotated clockwise.
"The driver may have over-steered to avoid a van, it then collided with a tree."
He added: "The driver was not wearing a seat belt. He had consumed alcohol which was likely to affect the ability to drive."
Mr Baker suffered multiple injuries including a fractured skull. Emergency services were called, but he died at the scene, at about 6.15pm.
His partner Claire Harpin told the hearing on Friday the pair had three children together.
They lived in Scarborough Road in Walsall.
She said: "Adam was alright. We have got two children, we had three children, got a six-year-old, we had a three-year-old who died, and got a new-born a year old now.
"The police officers came with his parents and knocked on the door and told me.
"I didn't believe it at first, he had just left my house."
She said he had gone to see someone about pigeons. She said he raced the birds as a hobby.
Sophie Dolman also spoke at the hearing. She was driving a Ford Fiesta and turning on to Old Park Lane from Woden Road when she saw Mr Baker drive past.
She said: "I saw the car swerve and then next thing I saw it hit a tree. I stopped and got out of car and called 999."
Assistant coroner Zafar Siddique concluded Mr Baker died from a road traffic collision.
He said: "I offer my condolences to the family of Adam. It is a tragedy for you all."
After the hearing, Wednesbury North councillor Elaine Costigan said it was an isolated incident.
She said: "With the speed humps we don't hear of many crashes along Old Park Road."
