A driver who reached 139kmh in a 50kmh area in Oamaru before crashing into a traffic light pole, through gardens, two street signs and then into a building, breaking the neck of a passenger in the process, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges.
Judge Joanna Maze was told in the Oamaru District Court yesterday Brent Robert Casey (25), unemployed, was driving drunk and had been suspended from driving two weeks before the September 13 incident.
Casey was driving a Honda Prelude in Thames St at 3am when he was clocked by police travelling at 139kmh in the 50kmh area.
Police prosecutor Tim Hambleton said Casey sped up on seeing police.
He drove another 600m before losing control of the car, which hit a traffic light pole, breaking it in half.
The vehicle continued another 77m, through gardens, smashing through two street signs and then crashing into a building.
Casey returned a breath-alcohol level of 879mcg, more than three times the legal limit.
Casey's passenger, Aaron Macahan, suffered a broken neck, broken wrist and severe facial lacerations and was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital.
Casey pleaded guilty to drink-driving causing injury, dangerous driving causing injury and driving while suspended. He had been suspended from driving for three months on September 4 for having excess demerit points.
Judge Maze referred the case to restorative justice. Casey was convicted on his guilty pleas and remanded on bail to appear for sentencing on December 16.
