Police could not believe anyone had survived the single vehicle crash near Peebles early yesterday but later traced the driver to an Oamaru address.
The 28-year-old Oamaru man, who was the sole occupant, was not injured but has now been charged with careless driving, driving with an excess breath-alcohol level and disqualified driving.
Inquiries are continuing.
Sergeant Tony Woodbridge said the Nissan station wagon was spotted by a milk tanker driver about 7.50am, upside down and about three-quarters submerged in a water-filled ditch beside State Highway 83 about 120m east of Ridge Rd.
The car was extensively damaged.
Skid marks and debris littered the crash site for about 150m.
The driver, who was travelling west to Duntroon, appeared to have lost control on a moderate right-hand bend, skidded and left the road.
The vehicle then hit a tree and went through a fence before flipping into the ditch.
No other vehicles were involved.
"We couldn't believe anyone could have survived the crash," Sgt Woodbridge said.
