A man on trial accused of killing two people by causing a crash on the A3 in 2008 was seen trying to flee the scene after the fatal collision, Kingston Crown Court has heard.

Deane Girdler, 43, from Woodham, faces two counts of causing death by dangerous driving following the crash, just south of the junction with Copsem Lane (A244) after midnight on Saturday, January 19, last year. Preston Trueick, 61, a black cab driver from Byfleet, and Catherine Cunningham, 67, from Liphook, Hampshire, died in the crash.

On Wednesday, February 17, the jury heard the evidence of Michael Harnell, a combat medical technician serving with the Territorial Army and one of the first people at the crash scene, who told the court he saw Mr Girdler make a series of failed attempts to start his car following the incident.

Mr Harnell, who had been travelling in a minibus with fellow members of the Territorial Army on the night in question, said: “I organised a first aid team to triage any casualties. I went over to the Audi Driver [Mr Girdler] first and I observed he was trying to start his car at the time.

“I instructed the driver not to turn on the engine – combustion at the scene of an accident is the last thing you want. There was no response. He was clearly trying to start the vehicle.”

Mr Harnell, who was briefly put in charge of Mr Girdler by a police officer following the defendants arrest, also said the accused was “horrendously drunk”.

He told the court: “He stank of alcohol and was very slow to respond to commands. He had to be reminded to stand up and made no coherent noises.”

Lord Martin Thomas, representing the defendant suggested to Mr Harnell his evidence was “exaggerated” and his client had not been drunk, but in shock.

Mr Harnell replied: “Of course you would, you’re a defence councillor – but not, I wasn’t exaggerating.”

Lord Thomas also claimed his client had not tried to restart the engine of his car, following the crash, and Mr Harnell had mistaken the noise of a starter engine for that of the car’s fan.

Lord Thomas said to Mr Harnell: “You are quite happy in using florid phrases, aren't you? Like 'horrendoulsy drunk'.”

Mr Harnell said: “That wasn't a florid phrase. He was horribly drunk.”

Earlier in the day, the court heard the evidence from Sgt David Simpson, who had been driving the minibus that night carrying the territorial army soldiers.

Sgt Simpson claimed that when Mr Girdler's Audi had passed them on the A3, shortly before the crash, the defendant's speed was about 115mph..

He said: “[The Audi] came past us so fast, it actually moved the minibus.”

Lord Thomas suggested to S Simpson Mr Girdler's car was only travelling at about 70mph.

Sgt Simpson replied: “If you're doing 60mph and the other car goes past you like you're standing still- it had to be doing that speed.”

Robert Phillips, a mechanic with the territorial army, who had also been travelling on the minibus, also refuted Lord Thomas' claim Mr Girdler had been driving at 70mph when he passed them.

He told the court: “I'm a mechanic by trade and I used to race cars, so I'm pretty good at judging speeds. [The Audi] left us standing still. It was as if a lorry went past.

“The weight we had on board the minibus, to be rocked by a car smaller than us – that car was driving at a stupid speed.”