A FATHER who died after his car left the A449 Monmouthshire was speeding and driving "recklessly", an inquest has heard.

Mark Crabtree, 42, of Hertfordshire, died on the morning of January 3, 2015 when he was driving to his home in Borehamwood after dropping off his son with a former partner in Brecon.

In a written statement, Paul Fox recalled driving at 60mph on the morning of the crash when Mr Crabtree overtook him at an estimated speed of 100mph.

Newport Coroners Court heard that the father-of-three lost control of the Seat Leon, “careering into lane one at a 90 degree angle” before leaving the road and disappearing through the tree line.

“The driver was driving far too fast for the conditions and was reckless,” Mr Fox said.

The A449 Southbound was closed for six hours between the A40 Raglan Interchange and A472 Usk Interchange in Llanllowell following the crash and Mr Crabtree was pronounced dead at the scene.

PC. 619. Witherall, who conducted a crash investigation, said there were no defects with the car and that road conditions on the night would have been affected by standing water, heavy rainfall and blocked drains.

The investigator was unable to calculate the exact speed of the car due to wet conditions but said the “way the vehicle lost control was indicative of the vehicle aquaplaning".

“The damage was indicative of a high speed collision,” he added.

The court also heard how the drains on the A449 were cleansed regularly and that the last inspection had taken place on Saturday, December 19.

Consultant pathologist at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Dr James Harrison, conducted a post mortem and said that Mr Crabtree died of “multiple injuries”.

In tribute, Mr Crabtree's family said he would be “missed very much by his partner, children and family.

“He was a great guy and brightened everybody’s life around him with his smile and laughter. May he rest in peace."

Summing up, Assistant Coroner Wendy James said: “Driving conditions on the A449 were appalling and there had been prolonged heavy rainfall and areas of standing water.

“Mr Crabtree was described as driving recklessly and driving to a speed that was far too fast. It not only placed his life in danger but the lives of other road users.”

She recorded a verdict of death by road traffic collision.