Teen says speeding ‘stupidest thing I’ve done’

Liam James Ryan was snapped going 115kmh on a residential street. But he ended up better than his friend, who went 120kmh in a different car before crashing into a powerbox. Police summary of facts

A teenager who raced after a friend who ended up crashing says the whole incident was the most stupid thing he has ever done

Liam James Ryan, 17, pleaded guilty in the Palmerston North District Court on Thursday to displaying an unnecessary exhibition of speed or acceleration on a road.

He was driving a Mazda on South St, Feilding, on the night of March 18, when the incident happened.

He drove at 115kmh down the residential street, which has a speed limit of 50kmh and has many small streets running of it.

Ryan was seen following another car, which sped down South St at 120kmh.

However, that front car soon came to a stop when it hit a powerbox.

Ryan told police the incident was ‘‘the stupidest thing’’ he had done.

Duty lawyer Mike Andrews said the other car took off and Ryan was just trying to keep up.

‘‘The summary of facts speaks for itself.’’

There had been cases where people driving in similar situations to Ryan where charged with manslaughter, because they had appeared to have been egging on the driver of the other car, Andrews said.

Ryan had just got a job at AFFCO meatworks, and was able to pay a fine, Andrews said.

Judge David Smith said Ryan was not responsible for the crash, but it was still a poor piece of driving.

Anyone coming out of a driveway or side street was put at risk by Ryan’s actions, the judge said.

‘‘I hope that this is a salutary lesson for you.’’

The judge ordered Ryan to pay a $500 fine, and disqualified him from driving for six months.