A repeat racer has lost his licence for 18 months after a head-on crash led to an innocent motorist having to be cut from their vehicle.
Ethan Partel (23), of Mosgiel, explained that his excessive speed in Wickliffe St on November 7, 2016 was because he was being chased.
He drove on the wet road at speeds of 80kmh, court documents reveal, and continued to accelerate when rounding a moderate right bend, crossing into the wrong lane.
Coming from the other direction was the victim and when Partel slammed on the brakes, his wheels locked up.
A 22m skid smashed him into the victim’s car.
"The force of the impact has swung the defendant’s vehicle around, hitting a stationary parked vehicle on the left-hand side of the road," a police summary said.
Both Partel and the victim’s cars were extensively damaged and written off.
Because the victim had suspected neck injuries, he had to be cut out of the wreck, the court heard.
Judge Kevin Phillips said the man continued to suffer "ongoing serious side effects" as a result of the incident and had also incurred significant cost.
"Your actions on the day of the offending have changed the life of your victim and his family in a major and irreversible way," the judge told Partel.
"It was a deliberate course of very bad driving, totally aggravated by your prior convictions."
He pointed to Partel’s two previous convictions for racing in the past six years.
Judge Phillips was also critical of the defendant’s attitude when it came to disclosing his financial position.
Though he had two cars registered in his name, defence counsel Sophia Thorburn said they were actually owned by her client’s friend.
"It’s just a nonsense he’s drummed up," Judge Phillips said.
Partel said he was willing to access his KiwiSaver to pay reparation to the victim but the judge believed he had been "less than honest" about his means.
The defendant was ordered to pay a total of $4866 and was sentenced to home detention for four months at an Abbotsford address.
He was also ordered to complete 180 hours’ community work.
