A MOTORIST was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink and drugs following a crash which left a five-year-old in hospital.

The silver convertible car was wrecked after the crash in Colchester Road, West Bergholt, on Tuesday.

The driver had smashed into a fence and a tree.

Both Essex Police and the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust were called to the scene close to the Treble Tile restaurant.

A five-year-old boy was hurt in the crash and taken to hospital.

Fortunately, he was not badly hurt.

Police were initially told he had been hit by the car but it later transpired that he was a passenger.

A spokesman for Essex Police confirmed a man from the village had been arrested and was being quizzed of officers about the circumstances surrounding the crash.

“We were called at approximately 5.50pm on Tuesday about a collision in Colchester Road, West Bergholt,” he said.

“We received information that a vehicle was in collision with a boy before colliding with a fence and a tree.

“The boy was not seriously injured and was taken to hospital for precautionary checks.

“We arrested a 38-year-old man from West Bergholt on suspicion of drink and drug driving and he remains in custody for questioning.”

Colchester-based police officers released a picture of the crash to warn other people about the dangers of driving while under the influence of drink and drugs.

Posting on Twitter, they said: “If you ever need a reason to not drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol then this one is for you.

“Thankfully, the five-year-old passenger only has minor injuries but should never have been put in this situation.

“One man was arrested for driving while unfit through drink and drugs.”

Anyone with any details, information or dashcam footage on the crash should call police immediately on 101.