Learner driver in 212kmh illegal street race

WELLINGTON: A learner driver clocked by police at 212kmh in an illegal street race will delay his home detention sentence to be with a family member — who has just been hit by a car, in a case of ‘‘painful irony’’.

Tepiwa Michael Peter Keremete Riwai (32) appeared for sentencing in the Hutt Valley District Court yesterday for the driving, but Judge Arthur Tompkins agreed to postpone home detention until later this week so Riwai could rush to hospital.

‘‘In what must be a painful irony for Mr Riwai, his [family member] has recently been injured as a result of being struck by another vehicle,’’ he said.

Riwai was driving a Holden Commodore about 9pm on March 8 with his partner, a restricted licence holder, in the car. He holds only a learner licence and was driving in breach of it, the summary of facts said.

Somewhere between Avalon and the Haywards Hill interchange in the Hutt, another Holden Commodore pulled up alongside Riwai’s car.

The two drivers then accelerated north on the highway, with Riwai reaching the speed of 212kmh. The other driver allegedly reached 186kmh.

There were other vehicles on the road at the time but defence lawyer Chris Nicholls said nobody had to take evasive action as the cars sped past.

A police patrol spotted the two cars racing and pursued them, stopping Riwai near Silverstream and arresting him. The other driver, 38yearold Jason Leslie Campbell, was stopped in Upper Hutt and also arrested.

Both drivers had their licences suspended for 28 days and their cars were impounded.

Riwai pleaded guilty in July to operating a vehicle in a race or exhibition of speed.

Campbell allegedly told police he was driving in convoy with Riwai, and that his car could not reach the speed he was accused of driving at.

He has pleaded not guilty to the racing charge and will reappear in court at a later date.

Judge Tompkins said Riwai had a history of dangerous driving and other drivingrelated charges, and was even imprisoned in 2016 for a driving incident.

He sentenced Riwai to two months home detention and 18 months disqualification from driving.