AN INQUEST opens today into the death of a teenager at the wheel of a car which left a road before colliding with two brick gateposts.
Lee Hutchinson was driving his white Vauxhall Corsa between the villages of Ludworth and Thornley, east Durham, when the accident took place, at about 2.25am on Saturday.
The car struck the gate posts at the entrance to horse stables in Thornley Road.
Mr Hutchinson, of Ruskin Crescent, Thornley, was freed by firefighters, but was declared dead on arrival at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham.
A 19-year-old man from Ludworth, who was a front- seat passenger, escaped with minor injuries.
The inquest will be opened by North Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle at County Hall, but proceedings will be adjourned to a full hearing pending the completion of inquiries into the accident.
The funeral of Mr Hutchinson takes place at St Bartholomew's Church, Thornley, tomorrow, at 1pm.
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