RESIDENTS in Bridport have spoken about a "shock" car crash which destroyed several cars and left three people in hospital.

As previously reported, three people were taken to hospital after a car crashed into parked vehicles in the early hours.

Police said the driver reportedly fled the scene following the crash in South Street early on Sunday, prompting a search.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Two of the cars were left badly damaged in the crash, more were taken away by policeTwo of the cars were left badly damaged in the crash, more were taken away by police (Image: Tom Lawrence)

It is believed a car collided with a parked car on South Street, sending it into the wall of a house. The car then continued up the road, hitting more cars along the way.

Hayley Manning owns the house which was hit by the parked car.

The wall was damaged on the inside and outside and now she cannot open her front door due to the damage.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: The vehicle hit a number of parked cars before stoppingThe vehicle hit a number of parked cars before stopping (Image: Tom Lawrence)

Ms Manning said: "It was so awful, it sounded like the worst accident we had ever heard. I genuinely thought someone it had died it was so loud.

"It was 2.20am, we were asleep at the time.

"All of our supporting steel is probably going to have to be replaced, it is going to take a huge amount of money to fix and replace it all.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: The parked car hit Hayley's wall, causing cracks to appear in the outside wallThe parked car hit Hayley's wall, causing cracks to appear in the outside wall (Image: Tom Lawrence)

"I don't think people understand the damage this does to people's lives, our premiums are now going to go up.

"The whole street got woken up.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

"We have a dog and we were dog sitting, two were sleeping in the lounge, this poor dog was so frightened it ran upstairs and hid in our bedroom, it wouldn't come down.

"We spent all day Sunday stripping the plaster and having to fix our wall, I am really not happy."

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: The parked car outside Ms Manning's house after the crash on South StreetThe parked car outside Ms Manning's house after the crash on South Street (Image: Hayley Manning)

Police officers were apparently driving down South Street at the time of the crash and were on the scene straight away.

Chris Neaves also lives on South Street, and his car was hit by the vehicle in the crash.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Chris Neaves said his car is not worth fixing after the crashChris Neaves said his car is not worth fixing after the crash (Image: Tom Lawrence)

He said: "I was asleep, it woke us up and I looked out of the window and saw blue flashing lights.

"They just happened to be coming down the road as the car came up, they were on the scene immediately.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: South Street resident Chris Neaves said his car will be written off after being hit in the crashSouth Street resident Chris Neaves said his car will be written off after being hit in the crash (Image: Tom Lawrence)

"The car had spun and ended up facing outwards up the road.

"All of the neighbours came out. Three cars were written off, my car will be, it is an old car and is not worth fixing.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Mr Neaves's car was destroyed in the crashMr Neaves's car was destroyed in the crash (Image: Tom Lawrence)

"I will have to buy a new car now."

Another South Street resident, Steph Rowse, added: "It sounded like a bomb going off, not that I have heard a bomb, but it was so loud.

"It's the fifth time in 10 years there has been a crash down here.

"I don't see how it happens, it is a straight road.

"I don't know how you stop it, you could make it two miles-per-hour down here but it wouldn’t make a difference.”

Four people who were passengers in the car were checked by paramedics and three of them went to hospital for further treatment.

A number of cars were damaged in the collision.

A 28-year-old Bridport man was arrested and charged with driving without due care and attention, driving when his alcohol level was above the legal limit, failing to stop after a road accident and failing to report an accident.

He is due to appear at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Friday, June 7.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward. 

Police Constable Shaun Elliott, of Dorchester police, said: “While someone has been charged for these offences, we are continuing to investigate this incident and full circumstances of how it occurred.

“I would urge any witnesses who have not already spoken to police to please contact us.

“I am also keen to hear from any motorists who were driving in the vicinity and may have captured relevant dashcam footage.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240074493.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.