A MUCH-LOVED and popular man died at the age of 21 after he lost control of his car on a bend, a coroner's court heard.

Adam Lawley, of Stanford Rivers Road, Ongar, had been returning home from work on November 21, 2008, when he lost control as he negotiated a bend on London Road, Stapleford Tawney, Chelmsford Coroners Court was told.

He skidded across the road sideways and through a hedge, before his car turned over a number of times and hit a tree.

Two PCSOs on patrol found the scene of the accident and called for an ambulance but he was pronounced dead at the scene. A post mortem gave the cause of death as multiple injuries.

Sgt Richard Raker of Essex Police's Traffic Investigation Unit said: “There was evidence he wasn't wearing a seatbelt and he'd been ejected through one of the windows. Most of the glass in the car was broken. The bodywork was extensively damaged. Almost every panel was damaged.”

Mr Raker said a subsequent investigation revealed Mr Lawley was over the drink-driving limit and had possibly been driving at an excessive speed limit on the 60mph road.

He added road conditions had been normal on the night and there was no evidence any other vehicles had been involved in the incident.

Adam's father Stephen Lawley, expressed surprise at the findings and questioned whether an alternative explanation for the incident could be found such as deer on the road.

He said: “Adam passed his test at 17. I taught him to drive. He was a very experienced driver. He was a lot better than me and I'm quite a good driver. He was absolutely against drugs and drink so it's a shock what's come out.

“His friends are very surprised he was over the limit. He normally goes out on a Friday and doesn't come home- he stays at a friend's. He doesn't drink and drive. Never.”

Assistant deputy coroner Lorna Tagliavini recorded a verdict of death by road traffic collision.

Mr Lawley said: “We are trying 18 months after he died to get something very positive from this. He's got a massive following of friends. Over a thousand people went on his Facebook tribute site and made beautiful comments. We as a family have tried to see the positive in life and not the negative.”