A young driver killed a friend in a crash after breaking the speed limit on a dark country road in wintry weather.

Daniel Brackenbury lost control of his car and hit a bridge resulting in the death of his front seat passenger Darren Robertson.

A motorist who was driving behind Brackenbury estimated that he must have been travelling at more than 85mph before leaving the road.

Police accident investigators believed his Honda Civic was likely to have been launched through the air.

The vehicle landed in a field more than 21 metres away after the crash on the B9171 road between Dunino and Ansthruther in Fife.

Brackenbury, who was 20 at the time, later told police he drove the road on a daily basis and described his way of driving as "cautious".

The first offender from St Monans, in Fife, who is now 21, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Mr Robertson, 19, by driving dangerously on December 11 in 2010, when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

He admitted driving too fast for the road and weather conditions and over the speed limit. He lost control while going round a corner and drove on the opposite carriageway before going into a bridge and leaving the road.

Advocate depute Richard Goddard said: "The loss of their only son at the age of 19 has left the parents of Darren Robertson bereft. It is clear that Darren was a well known and well liked young man in the local community, which has in various ways paid tribute to his memory."

The prosecutor said Mr Robertson from St Monans, and the accused were friends and on the night of the crash Brackenbury had arranged to drive Jane Muirhead back to Ansthruther from a works night out in St Andrews.

Ms Muirhead was in the back of the car.

Brackenbury overtook a slower moving vehicle as did another driver, Alistair Smith.

Both continued south and Mr Smith said Brackenbury's car was not looking steady and beginning to swerve at one stage.

As it approached Spalefield crossroads it braked and began to veer before hitting a parapet and ending up in the field.

Mr Goddard said Mr Smith estimated Brackenbury "must have been driving in excess of 85mph prior to him leaving the road due to how quickly the vehicle was accelerating away from his own vehicle".

After the crash Mr Smith stopped and contacted emergency services. Passersby helped to get Ms Muirhead out of the car.

Firefighters assisted in getting Brackenbury, who was trapped in the driver's seat, and Mr Robertson out of the vehicle. Brackenbury was flown by Royal Navy helicopter to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee with serious leg injuries.

Mr Robertson was pronounced dead at the scene. He suffered multiple injuries including a severe head trauma.

Brackenbury was later interviewed by police and could not remember any of the events of the day of the accident.

The advocate depute said he "confirmed that he drove the road on a daily basis and described his manner of driving as being cautious".

Mr Goddard said that at the time of the crash there had been a recent heavy fall of snow, but the road was in a good state of repair and no defects were found on the Honda car.

Defence counsel Ronnie Renucci said Brackenbury recognised that there was nothing he could say that would lessen the impact for the loss of Mr Robertson on his family, but expressed his "deep remorse".

He added: "He is realistic as to the eventual outcome."

The judge, Lord Bannatyne, deferred sentence on Brackenbury for the preparation of a background report.