Blenheim man lucky to be alive after high speed crash

File photo / NZ Herald

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.

It was "pure luck" the young man had not seriously injured himself or another innocent member of the public, Mr Kirkwood said.

"The car was just metres from hitting a house that was occupied at the time."

The man is due to appear in Blenheim District Court on May 4.