A DRUG driver swerved into oncoming traffic and caused a four-vehicle pile up which left one child suffering with post traumatic stress disorder.

Wayne Coe, 60, was driving his pick-up truck in Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, when he suddenly turned into oncoming traffic and struck oncoming cars.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard he struck the right side of one car, before hitting another head on.

Police captured photographs from the scene of the smash, which took place on April 24.

One victim was in her car with her five-year-old daughter as the passenger.

She described the conditions as dry and sunny and was driving at about 20mph on the 30mph stretch of road.

“The truck came across the central line in front of me,” she said.

“I braked and steered to the left to avoid the pick-up.”

The woman and her daughter were trapped in their vehicle and had to be helped out.

“Mr Coe remained by his vehicle and didn’t approach us or say anything,” she said.

She said she suffered whiplash injuries, cuts and bruises to both legs and her right shoulder, leaving her unable to work .

Her daughter suffered cuts and bruising to her chest area and had since been diagnosed with PTSD.

Police suspected Coe, of Telford Road, Braintree, may be under the influence as his “pupils appeared very small and he was very vague about what happened”.

The court heard in custody Coe was drowsy and falling asleep.

A blood test revealed he had 20mcg of cocaine per litre of blood. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Sharon Hall, prosecuting, said: “In interview he said he doesn’t think he fell asleep, but was tired as he had only had three and a half hours of sleep.

“He said he had taken cocaine three days prior.”

Coe admitted driving without due care and attention and drug driving

Paula Fell, mitigating, said Coe is “absolutely devastated” by the crash.

She said he wasn’t sure whether he hit a speed bump or a kerb before the crash, which she described as a “really nasty” accident.

“Thankfully as he is insured there are very extensive personal injury claims going through,” she said.

Ms Fell said Coe still suffers physical difficulties due to the injuries he suffered.

“He also has problems with his breathing because of COPD, which has got substantially worse since this incident,” she said.

“He’s lost his employment and no longer works, he has to rely on benefits now.”

Coe was banned from driving for two years and hit with a £300 fine.