Talented footballer died after accident
A talented footballer, who was killed when his car crashed into a tree on a country road in Northamptonshire, was driving while almost two-and-a-half times the legal drink-drive limit, an inquest heard.
Father-of-two Dale Stratford died when his blue Ford Mondeo hit a tree on the A422 at Steane Park, near Farthinghoe, on May 11.
A toxicology report found the 32-year-old had 195mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.
The inquest in Northampton yesterday heard Mr Stratford had been hosting a barbecue with his fiancee Sadie Simms at their house in Brunswick Place, Banbury, and had drunk a considerable amount of alcohol.
In a statement read to the inquest, Miss Simms said the couple had rowed and Mr Stratford had driven off in the direction of his mother's house in Brackley.
PC Mark Marrocco, of the collision investigation team of Northamptonshire police, told the inquest there was no evidence to suggest the car had any mechanical defects or that any other vehicle had been involved in the crash.
He said he regarded Mr Stratford's alcohol consumption as the main cause of the accident.
He said it was impossible to tell at what speed Mr Stratford had been travelling when he left the road, but there was evidence he had tried to regain control of the car before it crashed.
A post-mortem report said Mr Stratford had suffered multiple injuries and would have died instantly.
Recording a verdict of accidental death, deputy coroner Rodney Haig said: "We have heard from the pathologist who carried out the post mortem examination that Mr Stratford had obviously drunk far too much that evening and we have heard he was still affected by that alcohol intake at the time of the accident.
"I am satisfied this accident was caused by the driver on his own. He clearly lost control for some reason and his alcohol intake did not help him in trying to regain control. As a result his car hit a tree and he sadly died."
Mr Stratford worked as a forklift driver for Robert Horne in Northampton and was a talented football player, who was captain of the Whitehills Sunday football club.
He leaves two daughters, Megan and Abi, his fiancee Sadie, his brother Kevin and his mother Sandra.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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