Drink driver hit tree and bounced 100 metres down road in 'obliterated' car

A witness said that the vehicle belonging to Benjamin Pascoe had been “completely obliterated” and looked as if it was about to catch on fire when he helped the defendant out of the car.

When police arrived at the scene they found the defendant being treated by emergency medical staff and he was then taken to Yeovil District Hospital.

He failed a breath test and later provided a blood sample which showed he was just over the drink drive limit.

Pascoe, 23, of Sherlands Gardens, pleaded guilty to driving a BMW vehicle on Egwood Hill, Merriott on June 19 after consuming excess alcohol when he appeared before Somerset Magistrates.

The court at Yeovil was told that the defendant was driving his car just after 4pm on Egwood Hill in Merriott when he hit a nearside bank.

“His vehicle crossed to the offside into a bank and then into a large tree and then continued along the road and came to rest 100 metres away,” said prosecutor Emma Lenanton.

“As a result of the accident the tree fell across the road and substantial damage was caused to Pascoe’s car.

“Other motorists stopped their vehicles and saw the BMW had collided with the tree and one of the witnesses said the car was completely obliterated and looked as if it was going to catch on fire.”

Pascoe was helped from his car by several people and was taken to hospital for treatment.

A blood test later produced a reading of 84mlg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 80mlg of alcohol.

Pasco told the magistrates that what he did was not acceptable in any way and he certainly would never do anything like that again.

“I did not knowingly get in the car knowing I was over the limit and am just thankful that I didn’t harm anyone else and am thankful to the emergency services involved who came to help me,” he said.

The defendant was given a 12 month driving ban and fined £180 with a £150 court charge and a £20 victim surcharge.