A TEACHER who died after his car smashed into a bus stop in Botley was three times the drink drive limit, an inquest heard.

The court heard how Stephen Piper, faculty manager for dance and performing arts at City of Oxford College, most likely fell asleep at the wheel while driving back from a night out celebrating a promotion, at about 3.30am on October 22 last year.

He was nearly three times the legal drink driving limit when he crashed on Eynsham Road heading out of the city.

Speaking at Oxford Coroners Court collision investigator David Watson said his findings showed Mr Piper was driving at between 52.5 mph and 60mph on the 30mph stretch of road.

He added: "My conclusion is that he is not applying any additional steering and the same with his acceleration as it is constant.

"This would resemble how a person was if they had fallen asleep at the wheel although I cannot make that conclusion."

Mr Piper had been out for the evening celebrating a promotion at the college, as well as for a colleague's leaving drinks.

The 28-year-old was seen getting onto the NS1 bus to his home in Shillbrook Avenue, Carterton, before appearing to leave the bus just a few stops later at Osney bridge about 12.36am.

He was next seen on CCTV at Seacourt Park and ride where he had parked his car before work that day.

The CCTV captured Mr Piper leaving the park and ride 'erratically' about 3.19am just a mile away from where his car collided with the bus stop in Eynsham Road.

It is not known where Mr Piper was between this time.

The inquest heard how Mr Piper died from significant head injuries which is thought to be caused when the car hit the bus shelter which was dislodged and pierced the roof of the car.

The car came to a stop in a nearby hedge.

Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter said: "This is certainly a very sad case, the loss of Stephen at such a young age - my condolences go out to his family."

He concluded: "The reason the vehicle left the the road, there are two reasons, first of all he was intoxicated at three time the drink drive limit and probably also fatigued.

"The mechanisms of the accident in regards to his driving before shows gradual movement which seems to suggest perhaps Stephen Piper fell asleep although we cannot say for sure. But perhaps it is likely with the intoxication as well as there being no evidence of braking."

Mr Salter gave a conclusion as Road Traffic Collision.