A MAN who was two-and-a-half times over the legal drink drive limit was killed as a result of his injuries in a road accident, an inquest heard.

David Hutchison (correct), 56, died on July 15 last year, died when his car hit a wall and a tree stump after he lost control on the B6271 between Richmond and his home in Brompton-on-Swale at around 12.45am.

The inquest at Northallerton’s Evolution Centre on Wednesday, January 15, heard that Mr Hutchison spent the evening in the Bishop Blaize pub in Richmond after spending time with family members.

Landlord Paul Lindley said he noticed Mr Hutchison although did not know him, and said he thought he had around eight pints of lager over the course of the night until last orders at 11.30pm.

Traffic Constable Paul Davenport, who investigated the crash, said Mr Hutchison was seen on CCTV in Richmond Market Place at around half past midnight, getting into his Hyundai i10 and colliding with the town’s obelisk before driving away.

He said: “Mr Hutchison, who had not been wearing a seat belt, was driving towards Brompton-on-Swale and entered long, sweeping bends in the road.

“Being a local man he would have known the road, but as he approached St Trinian’s Farm just after the Easby junction, his nearside wheels began to leave the carriageway onto the grass verge, and he made an unsuccessful attempt to get back into position.”

TC Davenport said the car then travelled onto the other side of the road and then struck a wall on the edge of an embankment, before hitting a tree trunk, which caused the car to roll over and fall back in the road.

Mr Hutchison fell out of the car as it rolled and sustained injuries to his neck and chest.

Mr Turnbull said: “Alcohol was the primary cause of the accident. My conclusion is that he died as a result of injuries in a road traffic collision.”