A SOLDIER who crashed his car and died on a main road out of Salisbury was almost three times over the drink-drive limit and wasn't wearing a seatbelt, an inquest heard.

William Beal had been out drinking with his friends at the Bridge Tap and Yoyos hours before the fatal crash which took place along the A30 at around 2.30am on August 29, 2022.

The 21-year-old, who served in the Royal Dragoon Guards and was based in Warminster, suffered cerebral trauma and died at the scene.

Dashcam footage played at an inquest in Salisbury on Friday, September 15, showed Mr Beal leaving a Premier Inn car park on London Road, turning left and crossing St Thomas' Roundabout before swerving along the A30 at speeds of up to 113 miles per hour.

As he approached a slight left bend, shortly before a turn-off to Old Malthouse Lane, his vehicle crossed into the westbound lane and collided with a hedgerow and a telegraph pole at 2.13am.

Mr Beal was found by off-duty doctor Steven Davis who confirmed his death at 2.40am.

Salisbury Journal: The left bend on the A30 where William Beal crashed his car.The left bend on the A30 where William Beal crashed his car. (Image: Google Maps)

A toxicology test showed that Trp Beal had 237 milligrams of alcohol per decilitre of blood in his system. The legal drink-drive limit is 80.

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Police Sergeant Richard Hatch said the driver's seatbelt was still in its "stay position" which indicates it was not in use.

Sgt Hatch added: "Had William been wearing his seatbelt he may have survived the collision."

Salisbury Journal: William Beal.William Beal. (Image: Newsquest)

Friend Lucas Bergman-Brown said he thought Mr Beal was taking a taxi home from Salisbury but found his car was missing from the Premier Inn car park the following morning.

No full collision investigation report was prepared as the dashcam footage recovered from the BMW was labelled as "unequivocal evidence".

Salisbury Journal: Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner's Court.Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner's Court. (Image: Newsquest)

Senior Coroner David Ridley offered his condolences to Mr Beal's family and said: "I know this does not account for much and I don't think any parent gets over losing their child. It should not happen that way."

He recorded the death as a result of a road traffic collision.

A tribute from his family said: "He was infinitely loved as a son, brother, friend and soldier.

"Words cannot describe how much he will be missed by his family and friends and how devastating the loss is.

"William will always be remembered and loved by many."

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