A MUCH-LOVED teenager was killed by a car in a 'tragic accident' after staggering into the middle of a road whilst drunk following a night out, an inquest heard.

Oliver Quartley, 17, had been attempting to walk the one mile home by himself when he was struck by a car travelling between 49mph and 59mph.

Three minutes earlier a motorist who had to swerve to avoid hitting Oliver stopped and tried to help him as he was so concerned for his safety.

The trainee bricklayer 'grunted' at the Good Samaritan who then called 999 to alert them to his predicament.

Seconds later the unsuspecting driver of a Vauxhall Insignia collided with Oliver on the A354 near Blandford.

Despite breaking hard there was no time to stop the car from hitting Oliver who died at the scene from multiple injuries.

A post mortem examination showed that he was more than two times over the legal drink-drive limit at the time and had cocaine in his system.

The Bournemouth inquest heard that Oliver had spent the night of July 16, 2021, drinking with friends in Blandford.

One witness, Thomas Mackenzie, saw him stumbling near the Greyhound pub in the town centre at about 10.30pm

In his statement Mr Mackenzie said: "I asked him several times if he was alright.

"He said he was heading home to Charlton Marshall.

"I was concerned about him walking over the bridge over the River Stour.

"After I was with him for a few minutes he appeared more stable on his feet."

Mr Mackenzie was still worried at 11pm so he decided to drive after Oliver but couldn't find him.

Then at 12.23am Naomi Estall and her partner spotted Oliver on the A354.

In a statement given to police, Ms Estall, said: "I called the police to report a man walking in the carriageway.

"I noticed a person walking in the left hand lane and we had to swerve very violently to avoid hitting him.

"It looked like he was unaware that we had driven past.

"My partner turned the car around and we offered him a lift home.

"He just grunted so we drove on. As we drove on I called 101 and then 999."

Samuela Matakiabou, the driver of the Vauxhall Insignia, reported seeing a 'white blur jump into the road' ahead of his car.

Debbie Rookes, the Dorset assistant coroner, recorded a verdict that Oliver died as a result of injuries sustained during a road traffic accident.

She referred to the police investigation which confirmed that Mr Matakiabou was driving below the speed limit.

She added: "He drove this route quite frequently and nothing he did contributed to the collision."

She concluded that it was a 'tragic accident' and expressed her sincerest condolences to his family and friends for their loss.

Last year, following his death, a tribute released by Oliver's family said: “He was loved so much by his parents, wider family and friends. He was loving, friendly, kind, fun and happy.

“He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.”