Police say a Blenheim man is lucky to be alive after crashing his car at high speed into a tree in the town.

The 23-year-old man claimed he hit a top speed of up to 180 kilometres an hour in a 50 zone moments before the crash in a residential area of Main Street around 4.25am.

The man lost control of the vehicle and ploughed into a tree but managed to escaped uninjured.

He failed a breath alcohol test and has been charged with reckless driving and drink driving.

The man is due to appear in Blenheim District Court on May 4.