A JURY has found that a teenager who died in an M20 crash that claimed three lives more than a year ago was unlawfully killed.

Kevin Wratten, 19, from Snodland, was the passenger in a Vauxhall Cavalier driven by his friend Ricci Parker, also 19 and from Snodland, on Monday, December 15, 2003 when the car collided with the rear of a lorry.

A jury at the inquest into the death of the friends, and that of motorcyclist Jimmy Atirene, 33, from Orpington, this week heard that Mr Parker drove his car at speed along the M20 London-bound at around 10.25pm after drinking in The Freemason’s Arms pub in Snodland with Mr Wratten.

The Cavalier eventually collided with a lorry and went under the rear, damaging the passenger side of the car and leaving Mr Wratten with serious head, face and neck injuries.

The jury had heard on Monday, the first of a five-day inquest, that the accident happened between junction four for Leybourne and junction three for the M26 and Wrotham.

The jury had also heard how, following the initial impact, the young men's car came to rest across the outside lane, obstructing oncoming traffic.

It was subsequently struck by Mr Atirene's motorcycle, a van and a police car travelling at high speed on its way to join a pursuit.

At Friday's hearing, the jury returned its verdict on how the three died.

The jury's verdict that passenger Kevin Wratten was unlawfully killed was a unanimous decision.

The spokesman said: "Kevin Wratten was the front side passenger of the Vauxhall Cavalier being driven by Ricci Parker travelling London-bound on the M20 at excessive speed while being the holder of a provisional licence and being intoxicated.

"This car then collided with the rear of an LGV and Mr Wratten sustained fatal injuries as a result of this collision."

It was unanimously agreed that Mr Parker died as the result of an accident.

A spokesman for the jury said Mr Parker was driving the Cavalier when it crashed.

He continued: "Ricci Parker was standing by the nearside front passenger door of that Vauxhall Cavalier when he was struck by one or more vehicles that resulted in him sustaining fatal injuries."

The jury found by a majority of six to two that Mr Atirene, an experienced motorcyclist, had died as a result of an accident.

Coroner for Mid-Kent and Medway Roger Sykes said it had been a relatively complex case.

He said of the crash investigators: "It is clear to me their investigation was thorough as well as being both professional and impartial."

He added: "Most importantly I turn to the three families. I wish to repeat my condolences and sympathies to each of them and to commend them as well because despite having to listen to some horrific evidence at times they have been calm and I admire that given the disturbing nature of this case."