Drink-driver took cannabis and was four times limit

A DRINK-DRIVER, who died when his car left the A26 and crashed into trees, was more than four times over the legal limit to drive.

A toxicology report also revealed Leon Teale, of Parklands, Maresfield, had taken cannabis prior to the accident, which happened south of Crowborough on June 29.

A blood test revealed Mr Teale had 342mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg, an inquest at Eastbourne Magistrates' Court heard.

The inquest was told that Mr Teale's father, also called Leon, found his son's body after becoming concerned over his fitness to drive.

Mr Teale senior said his son, who for several years ran Spillards Farmers Market in Croft Road, Crowborough, was a regular drinker but he had been unaware of him taking cannabis.

On the night of the accident, father and son had met up at Crowborough Club.

Mr Teale, of Wolfe Road, Crowborough, said his son had told him he had had a row with his wife Angela.

"He said she wanted him out of the house," said Mr Teale. "He said he was going to go home and sort it out. He wasn't in the best of minds.

"He was pretty low but he didn't look drunk. He wasn't staggering or slurring his words.

"I said a couple of times he shouldn't be driving but he drove off," said Mr Teale.

"I was concerned enough to want to make sure he was okay – he was my son – so I drove round to his house."

But when Mr Teale arrived his son's car wasn't there.

He went back a different route and saw a light in the bushes.

"I found him still in the car but my mobile phone wasn't working. I had to go home and the police were called," he said.

Pc Mark Hill, from Sussex Police's Accident Investigation Unit, said the Saab 900 hatchback was being driven at 60mph and had left the road on a sweeping left-hand bend, hitting an oak tree and then a larch tree before coming to rest 42 metres from the road.

He added there was no evidence that the brakes had been slammed on.

East Sussex coroner Alan Craze said there was no suggestion Mr Teale had intended to take his own life because of the angle he had hit the trees.

The collision had not been head-on.

He recorded a verdict that he died as a result of an accident.

Mr Craze said: "It is well known if you drink and drive you are putting yourself at considerable risk."