AN 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drug driving after a car reportedly clipped a tree and careered through a front garden fence.

Essex Police officers were called to Whitehouse Road, Southend, at about 9.50pm on Friday, January 21.

An 18 year-old man from Southend was arrested on suspicion of drug driving, careless driving, and driving without insurance.

He has since been released under investigation.

Councillor Paul Collins says the occupants if the vehicle were “fortunate to escape from harm” after “clipping a tree and narrowly missing a streetlight” before crashing “into a property fence and garden nearby”.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

“Please quote incident 1285 of 21 January.

“You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

“Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services.

“Alternatively you can call us on 101.

“In an emergency always call 999.

I”f you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity @Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.”