CRASH experts believe that a lorry driver was killed when his 17-ton truck careered along both lanes of one of Suffolk's busiest roads on its side and ploughed into a truck, an inquest has heard.

CRASH experts believe that a lorry driver was killed when his 17-ton truck careered along both lanes of one of Suffolk's busiest roads on its side and ploughed into a truck, an inquest has heard.

Jason Parker died at the end of a tragic sequence of events set in motion when Mondeo driver Edward Mahoney was distracted and his car strayed into the path of the rigid lorry.

And they say the most likely reason was that Mr Mahoney, who was returning home after a ten-hour flight from America, was distracted by something inside or outside his car.

Mr Parker, 31, is thought to have died instantly from multiple injuries seconds after his lorry was in collision with the Mondeo when it crossed on to his side of the A140, the Bury St Edmunds hearing was told yesterday.

Witnesses said the Iveco lorry went out of control and crashed on to its side after the Mondeo crossed the central white lines into the truck.

Five vehicles were involved in the smash, which happened close to Stonham Parva last December. Mr Parker was pronounced dead at the scene and four others were injured, one seriously.

Greater Suffolk Coroner Dr Peter Dean recorded a verdict of accidental death on father-of-one Mr Parker, who lived at Maidstone in Kent.

Paula Studd, who was driving a BMW behind the Mondeo when the accident happened, told the inquest it "wandered" across the central white lines and crashed into the lorry.

The driver, whose car was one of the vehicles involved, stressed: "There was no opportunity for the lorry driver to avoid the impact."

In a statement, Volvo driver John Mitchell, whose car was not involved, said he saw Mr Parker struggling to control his truck after the initial impact: "I could see him fighting with the steering wheel in an attempt to get control.

"The lorry toppled over and landed on its side – sliding across the road. It went straight into a green van. There was nothing the driver of the van could do to avoid it."

Mr Mahoney was present at the inquest but opted not to give evidence because it is possible criminal charges may be brought against him, the coroner said.

However, the hearing heard from crash witness Susan Smith, who said she went to help the Mondeo driver and he told her he was driving home with his wife following a ten-hour flight from America.

Crash investigator Pc Philip Payne said he thought it likely Mr Mahoney had strayed into the Iveco's path when he was "distracted by something inside or outside his car".