Police study 'road rage' drug claims By Hugh Muir

CLAIMS that a man killed in a "road rage" attack was a drug dealer are
being investigated by police.

Scotland Yard is examining all relevant lines of inquiry relating to the
deaths of Toby Exley, 22, and Karen Martin, 20, whose car was forced into
the path of another vehicle on the A316 near Hanwell, west London.

Appealing for public assistance last week, detectives said they believed
the couple fell victim to a random attack by a motorist angered by his
inability to overtake them. But a new potential motive emerged yesterday
when it was disclosed that Mr Exley, a chef, of Teddington, Middlesex, was
on two years' probation for possession of drugs with intent to sell.

Quoting "underworld sources", the News of the World claimed Mr Exley sold
drugs to teenagers at rave parties and cheated purchasers by mixing cocaine
with glucose to increase the amount available for sale. The paper
speculated that a disgruntled customer may have been responsible for the
crash on Oct 6.

The allegations angered Mr Exley's family. In a statement they said: "Toby
was not a drugs dealer. Toby had no connection with any drug warlords or
barons. Toby never came into contact with cocaine." His family confirmed he
had been arrested on Boxing Day, 1995, when he was "caught in possession",
but described his offence as a "oneoff mistake".

The claims also left the parents of Miss Martin, an advertising agency
clerk, of Twickenham, west London, distressed and confused. "The rumours
have come as a complete shock to us and to be honest they have hurt us more
than her death," said her father, John. "It is true that Toby had a
conviction for drugs with personal use, but it was a long time ago, before
he met Karen."

Witnesses said a lightcoloured car pursued Mr Exley's Fiesta, ramming it
several times before forcing it into the path of a Vauxhall Cavalier.
Police say the deaths were manslaughter and want to trace 5,000 vehicles
with registrations containing the combination K5, which formed part of the
number on the car used in the attack.

The driver whose car struck Mr Exley's after the initial collision spoke of
his sorrow about the crash. Robert Lowther, 32, from London, who suffered a
broken arm and smashed teeth, said: "The police have told me not to blame
myself. But every time I see pictures of the couple on TV or in the papers
I'm reduced to tears."