A VEHICLE mechanic who died after losing control of his car on New Year’s Day was more than three times over the drink-drive limit, an inquest heard.

Jason Parker, of Carey Court, Gloucester Street, Faringdon, was killed when his silver Honda Civic crashed on the A417 Lechlade road about a mile outside the town.

Oxford Coroner’s Court heard yesterday that Mr Parker, a married father-of-two, was driving towards Faringdon when he lost control of the vehicle, which overturned onto its roof.

Paramedics were called and 45-year-old Mr Parker, who had been thrown from the vehicle, was declared dead at 10.30pm.

Consultant pathologist Dr Susan Davies, who carried out a post mortem examination, told the inquest Mr Parker died from multiple injuries. And she said that alcohol was a contributing factor.

She told the inquest Mr Parker’s blood alcohol reading was 288mg – roughly 3.5 times the 80mg legal drink-drive limit.

Kevin Fowler, who was travelling from Faringdon towards Lechlade on the night of the crash, said in a statement read out in court that he saw the car on its roof with a man lying in the road.

Chris Hulme, who compiled a report about the road after the accident, said there had been no other reported accidents on that stretch of the A417 during the past five years.

Collision investigator Pc Simon Bishop added that the speed limit on the stretch of road was 60mph.

But he said there were no tyre marks or other evidence to indicate what speed Mr Parker had been driving at.

He told the inquest that Mr Parker’s seatbelt was partially extended but was not fastened.

Pc Bishop added that Mr Parker’s car left the road on a right hand bend before hitting a tree and coming to rest on its roof.

The police officer said: “Evidence suggested he was not wearing his seatbelt properly – it was certainly not buckled.”

The officer added that Mr Parker’s alcohol consumption could have impaired his reaction times and judgement.

Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter recorded a verdict of accidental death.