A DRUNKEN driver in a stolen car was involved in a high speed pursuit before he was thrown from the vehicle in a horrific crash, a coroner heard today.

Aaron White drove the stolen Citroen but was followed by Fabian Avrigeanu after Mr White had taken cash and documents from his BMW car.

Part of the early morning chase - between Caversham and the A33 in Reading - was caught on camera and at one stage saw both vehicles reach up to 70 mph in a 30 mph limit.

What came next was a horrific collision when Mr White clipped the curb and the stolen car rolled in the air, before he was ejected through the driver's door on the A33 near the BP Garage, shortly after 5am.

Investigating police confirmed the 27-year-old was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and blood samples proved he was high on drugs and over the alcohol limit.

The coroner later claimed Mr White would have survived had he worn the seatbelt, before recording a conclusion of death by road traffic accident.

Tony Reading, Thames Valley Police's forensic collision investigator, told the inquest at Reading Town Hall: "The Citroen C1 had recently been stolen.

"Aaron White was then disturbed while stealing from the BMW.

"Mr Avrigeanu followed the stolen Citroen and he recorded it, it shows them reaching 70mph.

"As it arrived near Rose Kiln Lane the driver (Mr White) lost control of the vehicle, it mounted the curb, struck a metal fence.

"Subsequently he was fully ejected from the car. He was not wearing a seatbelt."

Senior Coroner for Berkshire Peter Bedford heard an off-duty paramedic had stopped at the scene but Mr White was sadly declared dead. He had suffered what was described as "massive" head trauma.

The coroner ruled Mr White died as the result of a road traffic collision in a stolen car, adding: "Mr Avrigeanu made the decision to pull back. CCTV shows the BMW arrived at the scene more than 10 seconds after the crash.

"This is not a situation where the BMW was driving in a threatening manner.

"I believe if he had worn the seatbelt he would still be alive."

Mr White's family paid tribute to the 27-year-old, adding: "Our lives have changed so much since losing Aaron and will never be the same again. Thank you to the support that has been given to the family."