Drug-Fuelled Crash on M3: Driver 79 Times Over Legal Limit
Lee Ainsworth, 34, from Alton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drug driving at Basingstoke Magistrates Court yesterday (Thursday, 17th August). The shocking crash happened on the M3 near junction 6 on April 28, just before 3.45pm, when Ainsworth’s Ford Focus slammed into the back of a Jaguar.
Passenger Hurt as Car Collides on Busy Motorway
The Focus passenger suffered facial injuries and was rushed to hospital. The Jaguar’s driver and female passenger escaped with minor injuries. The court heard the terrifying details of Ainsworth’s drug use.
79 Times Over the Legal Drug Limit
Toxicology reports revealed Ainsworth had Benzoylecgonine in his system — a cocaine byproduct — at a staggering 79 times the legal limit. This is one of the highest readings ever recorded by police.
Ainsworth was handed a 12-month community order, banned from driving for three years, and sentenced to 180 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £85 in costs plus an £85 victim surcharge.
Police Warn: Driving High Is a Death Gamble
Christopher Pike of the Roads Policing Unit blasted the reckless act: “We were truly shocked by the test results. By driving knowing how much he’d taken, Ainsworth showed total disregard for lives. It’s sheer luck no one was seriously hurt or killed.”
“No level of drink or drug driving is acceptable but this was on another scale, one of the worst I have seen,” Pike added. “We hope this case sends a clear warning — we will continue targeting those who break these laws.”
“The laws protect lives and driving under the influence is never worth the risk. The consequences can be fatal.”
