A DANGEROUS driver who caused serious injuries to his passengers when he lost control of his car and smashed into a tree has been jailed.

Scott King, 38, from the Bedford area, was driving on Colchester Road, Great Bromley on July 17, 2015 when he veered out of control on a bend in the road and collided with a tree.

Two passengers were seriously injured and a third received minor injuries.

The front seat passenger, a 35-year-old man, is still recovering from the physical and emotional effects of the collision.

He said: "I am pleased that the judge has sent a strong message to motorists that it is not acceptable to drive in a way that endangers other road users and passengers.

“The crash almost killed me, I’m lucky to be alive.”

Adam Pipe, Casualty Reduction Manager at Essex Police, said: "Driving comes with responsibilities and our roads policing action will continue to take action against those put the lives of other innocent road users at risk by driving irresponsibly on the roads.”

King was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday May 24, after pleading guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment on each count to run concurrently.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years and nine months and will have to take an extended driving licence should he wish to drive again.