Baldock cricketer killed walking home had been drinking heavily

A popular local cricketer who was killed after being struck by a car as he walked along the A507 in Baldock had more than three and a half times the legal drink drive alcohol limit in his blood. An inquest heard this afternoon that Adam Taylor, 27, of Mal

A popular local cricketer who was killed after being struck by a car as he walked along the A507 in Baldock had more than three and a half times the legal drink drive alcohol limit in his blood.

An inquest heard this afternoon that Adam Taylor, 27, of Maltings Court, Baldock, had attended the end of season dinner and presentation evening at Baldock Town Cricket Club on Saturday, October 17.

He later went on to a party and in the early hours of the following morning he was attempting to walk home, but in the wrong direction, and was struck by a car.

Tipper lorry driver Tracey Bax said: "I saw something white moving in the distance. I soon realised it was a young man trying to run and not doing a good job of it.

"He was running up the hill towards me. He was in the gutter."

Not far behind was a car being driven my Ian Jepps from Arlesey.

"I saw a white strip in front of me then something hit me in the face. I had a pretty good idea what had happened. It was too big to have been an animal. I put my foot on the brake but the impact happened so quickly," said Mr Jepps.

Police investigator Pc Roy Ward said Mr Taylor was closer to the centre of the road than the edge of the carriageway when the impact happened.

Coroner Graham Danbury said: "It is clear that Mr Taylor had a fair amount to drink at the presentation evening then went to a party and left intending to walk home.

"He was seriously and adversely affected by drink and was walking along the road in the wrong direction and gave Mr Jepps no opportunity to avoid a collision."

Verdict: Accidental death.