A Blenheim man is lucky to be alive after crashing his car at high speed into a tree in the town overnight, police say.
The 23-year-old man claimed he hit a top speed of up to 180km/h in a 50km/h zone moments before the crash in a residential area of Main St around 4.25am, police said.
The man lost control of the vehicle and ploughed into a tree, police said, but managed to escaped uninjured.
A crash investigator had estimated his speed at about 150km/h just prior to the crash, Sergeant Mark Kirkwood of Blenheim Police said.
He failed a breath alcohol test, Mr Kirkwood said and has been charged with reckless driving and drink driving.
