Telford death crash driver over drink limit inquest told
The driver of a car which left the road and crashed, killing himself and a passenger, was more than twice over the drink-drive limit, a inquest heard today.
Lee Alexander, from Wombourne near Wolverhampton, had 187mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, and also had cocaine in his system when the Range Rover he was driving left the road in Jackfield on September 2 and ploughed into a tree.
The crash happened at a bend in the road on Ironbridge Road, in Jackfield, heading towards Broseley, at about 2.50am.
Mr Alexander died at the scene while the passenger, James Topliss, of Benthall, near Broseley, died nine days later in Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Shropshire coroner John Ellery recorded verdicts of accidental death for both men after hearing evidence from two police officers.
Mr Ellery said it was a 'tragic double accident' and offered his condolences to the family of Mr Alexander who were at the inquest at Wellington Civic Centre.
The pair had been drinking and left a pub in Madeley at 2.30am. Pc Martin Dunham said it was likely the car was travelling faster than the 40mph limit when it left the road.
Pc Simon Fern said Mr Topliss's sister, Claire, was sat behind Mr Alexander and had to have a prosthetic ear and still wears a neck brace after breaking a bone in her neck.
He added their friend Tom Bishop sustained serious arm injuries.
