A jury deciding a case in which two drivers are charged with causing the death of the same man was sent home yesterday after failing to reach verdicts.
Barry Dey, 29, from Slinfold, near Horsham, was killed when a Peugeot 405 driven by Scott Smith crossed the central reservation and crashed into his Vauxhall Astra.
Smith, 23, of Hill Rose Avenue, Sompting, pleaded not guilty at Chichester Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving.
Also charged with the same offence is Neville Hepburn, 46, of Poole, Dorset, who is alleged to have been tailgating Smith's car in his Saab 900 just before the accident.
The prosecution claimed the speed of the two cars was to blame for the crash which caused Mr Dey's death on May 26, 2000 on the approach to roadworks on the A24 between Ashington and Washington.
After deliberating for almost four-and-a-half hours, the jury was sent home until Monday by Judge John Sessions.
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