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Paul Cowie was over the limit in fatal A21 car crash

An ex-soldier was almost three times over the legal drink drive limit when he was involved in a crash, an inquest heard.

Paul Cowie, from Pembury, died at King’s College Hospital on Monday, November 13 last year after the smash the previous evening left him with a fatal head injury.

The hearing was told the 57-year-old IT engineer, who had served in the army for 12 years, was crossing the A21 in his Mini Cooper, turning towards Henwood Green Road, when he was struck by a black Renault Clio driving westbound.

A coroner concluded that Paul Cowie due to the car accident.
A coroner concluded that Paul Cowie due to the car accident.

The collision left the Clio on its roof on a traffic island facing the opposite direction it had been travelling and Mr Cowie’s Mini spun around.

The driver of the Clio was also taken to hospital with injuries that were not thought to be life threatening and survived.

Based on witness accounts, investigating police officers concluded that the road surface and weather conditions did not contribute to the crash.

The Clio had been travelling at between 60 and 70mph when the crash happened and its driver did not have time to react to Mr Cowie pulling out, police found.

The crash happened on the A21 at the junction with Henwood Green Road. Picture: Google Maps
The crash happened on the A21 at the junction with Henwood Green Road. Picture: Google Maps

Coronor Roger Hatch also noted Mr Cowie had 220 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood in his system, almost three times the legal limit.

PC Duncan Swallow, of Kent Police’s collision investigation unit, said it was not known why Mr Cowie failed to see the vehicle or why he did not stop.

The husband and father-of-two was described as being a quiet and reflective man who loved walking. He died peacefully with his family by his side.

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