The dad of one of the UK's tiniest babies was 46 times over the drug-drive limit when he crashed at 100mph, according to an inquest.
Benjamin Teague, 26, killed teenager Annabelle Lovell when he collided into her Volkswagen ID4 on August 2 last year and despite the best efforts of NHS paramedics and fire service teams, neither could be saved.
At the inquest into 18-year-old Annabelle's death it was revealed that Mr Teague had been drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis prior to the collision.
Witnesses confirmed Mr Teague was executing “highly dangerous manoeuvres” just moments before the crash including overtaking a van and a lorry at 100mph before attempting to overtake a row of three cars whilst driving on the wrong side of the road.
When he crashed into the Volkswagen he was driving at 87 mph, according to Mirror Online.
The crash came 23 months after Mr Teague welcome the arrival of his son Logan who was one of the smallest UK babies, weighing just 1lb 8oz when he was born on September 30 2019.
His son, who was smaller than his teddy bear at birth, was born 11 weeks early and was popped into a sandwich bag to keep him warm because he arrived so prematurely.
After nine weeks in hospital, Logan battled to full health and was allowed home.
John Underwood, forensic crash investigator from Northamptonshire Police, said: “The impact occurred while the BMW was on the incorrect side of the carriageway.
“This collision occurred as a result of an error on the BMW’s part.
“Alcohol and drugs were a major contributory factor and the driving and speeding.”
A post-mortem report revealed Mr Teague had a reading of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
He also had 93.5mg of cannabis per 100 millilitres of blood, which is 46 times over the drug-drive limit, the hearing at Northampton’s Guildhall was told on Wednesday (4/5).
Miss Lovell’s family paid tribute to their “angel” daughter in a statement read to the inquest and blasted the actions of a “selfish and dangerous driver”.
They said: “Annabelle had four siblings who she got on well with, very well.
“Annabelle was very close to her dad, they could talk about anything and everything. Annabelle loved her dad dearly, and she still does. We adored her.
“We will never see Annabelle get married or have children, because that has been taken away from us because of a selfish, dangerous driver.
“Take care my angel.”
The driver of the Volkswagen involved in the crash, Jonathan Millidge, gave evidence at the inquest.
He suffered a fractured spine and other serious injuries and said nothing could have been done to avoid the collision.
He told the inquest: “The car [BMW] just suddenly came out, all the way out over the white lines. I had absolutely no time to react.
“People say their life flashes before them in situations like this but there was not even time for that.
“I do not believe I could have done anything to avoid the collision.
“If I had not been there they would still be alive. They were just two young people. They didn’t deserve that.”
Northamptonshire senior coroner Anne Pember said: “The driver of the BMW overtook the vehicle while travelling in excess of the speed limit.
“The driver at the time had a significant amount of alcohol and cannabis.
“Tragically, Annabelle was confirmed dead at the scene.”
He concluded: “Mr Millidge, there was nothing you could have done to avoid this tragedy.”
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