A DRINK-DRIVER who crashed into the central reservation on an unlit stretch of the M65 "is lucky to be alive" after venturing back to his car in the middle lane for his mobile phone moments before a four-vehicle pile-up.

The chairman of the bench at Blackburn Magistrates' Court told Nicholas Jackson he was fortunate not to be facing more serious charges and that he had not seriously hurt any other motorist.

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Jackson, of Wigan Road, Euxton, had been on a night out in Darwen with his girlfriend and had drunk six or seven pints and some shots before deciding to drive home, the court heard.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and was convicted in his absence of driving without due care and attention.

He was made subject to a community order with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement, banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £650 costs and £60 victim surcharge.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said a motorist travelling along the M65 at Livesey at 2am suddenly saw a vehicle stationary in the middle lane and sticking into the inside lane where he was travelling.

He managed to swerve onto the hard shoulder and stop, grabbed his torch and went back to see if he could help.

She said: “He saw Jackson sat in the driving seat.

“He looked drunk and wasn’t moving.”

Miss Allan said it appeared Jackson had hit the central reservation, causing considerable damage to his vehicle.

“He got out and tried to push the car but that wasn’t happening because of the damage which included two deflated tyres,” said Miss Allan.

“The other motorist was on the hard shoulder shouting at Jackson to move because it wasn’t safe.”

Two cars went past, managing to avoid a collision, but Jackson insisted on returning to his car to collect his mobile phone.

“Seconds later a 4x4 crashed into the rear of the car,” said Miss Allan.

“The next car car crashed into the vehicles and in all four cars were involved in the pile up.”

Jackson gave a road side breathalyser reading of 65 against the legal limit of 35 but a blood sample taken six hours later showed the alcohol level had fallen to 88 against the legal limit of 80.

In an interview with the probation service Jackson said he had been out for drinks with his girlfriend in Darwen and had drunk six or seven pints and some shots.

He said he felt he was OK to drive. He acknowledged he was lucky not to have been hit by the first vehicle that crashed.

Jackson told the court he felt terrible about what had happened.

“I feel very fortunate that nobody sustained any serious injuries,” he said.