A Gore man who drove with two illegal drugs in his system is lucky to be alive after crashing into roadside trees, a judge says.
The police summary of facts said it veered across the centreline and hit several large trees beside the road.
The impact of the collision was so severe the vehicle’s engine was ejected and landed in the middle of the road.
A friend of the defendant who had been driving a vehicle in front did not see the impact but saw the wreckage and went back to help.
He found Marshall still inside the "mangled" vehicle.
The defendant was taken to Southland Hospital, where a blood sample tested positive for methamphetamine.
He suffered serious injuries in the crash, and spent a lengthy time in hospital.
Judge John Brandts-Giesen sentenced Marshall in the Gore District Court yesterday on an admitted charge of drug-impaired driving.
He noted ketamine was also detected in the defendant’s blood.
"You’re lucky to be alive, and also lucky you didn’t injure anyone else.
"Drugs and alcohol do not mix well."
Counsel John Fraser said the defendant did not remember taking drugs before the crash.
He described himself as a "drinker" rather than a drug user.
The judge said he had taken account of the defendant’s two previous driving convictions, but also his prompt guilty plea.
Marshall was convicted, fined $750, ordered to pay $130 court costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months and sentenced to 12 months’ supervision to address his substance abuse.
