The parents of a talented musician who died aged 18 in a double fatal collision in Braintree have paid tribute to their "dearly loved son".
James Simmons, of Hillside Gardens, Brainree, was a rear-seat passenger in a Volkswagen Polo which was in collision with a blue Ford Fiesta, which according to police was being driven on the wrong side of the road, in Gosfield Road shortly before 5pm on Sunday.
The driver of the Fiesta, David Bentley, 30, also died at the scene.
His parents, Michael and Gillian Simmons, said: "James was a dearly loved son, brother, uncle and friend to everyone that knew him.
"He was a musician, full time student and a shop assistant.
"The family have not made any arrangements at this stage regarding James's funeral. All the family members and friends will greatly miss James very much."
The driver of the Polo, aged 21, is in a critical a condition in Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, while a second passenger, a teenage girl, has escaped unharmed.
A front-seat passenger in the Fiesta with David, a woman from Suffolk aged in her 20s, was taken to Broomfield Hospital via land ambulance.
'Number of driving incidents'
Inspector Scott Egerton of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said his team were investigating reports that the Fiesta was driving on the wrong side of the road.
Mr Egerton said: "At the time of the collision the Fiesta was on the wrong side of the road.
"We are investigating why this is and are aware of a number of driving incidents prior to the collision which involved the Fiesta between the Galleys Corner area and High Garrett"
"Specifically we are looking to trace the occupants of two vehicles which may have witnessed the driving behaviour of the Fiesta.
"The first is a silver or green Ford Mondeo which was on an 09 plate. It was being driven by a man who appeared to be aged in his 50s. This vehicle was in the High Garrett area.
"The second is a Vauxhall Meriva which was occupied by a couple and seen on the Bocking roundabout of the A131.
"The occupants of these vehicles could hold information vital to our enquiry and I urge them to contact my team as soon as possible."
Post-mortem examinations on the men's bodies will take place on Wednesday.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigation team on 101 or emailcollisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk
