Novice driver crashes his car and ends up in court

Alcohol and high speed proved to be a dangerous mix for a learner driver who caused a crash which left a teenager with serious injuries including a broken pelvis, a court was told.

On May 27, Wade Edward Terence Peka was driving north along Raleigh St towards the north Taranaki town of Waitara.

Before getting behind the wheel of his unwarranted and unregistered car, Peka had been drinking alcohol.

He was also in breach of his learner licence as he had a 16-year-old passenger with him, the New Plymouth District Court heard.

The summary of facts outlined that at 8.20pm Peka was travelling about 120 kilometres an hour in the 80km zoned Raleigh St.

At the time, the road was wet from rain that had fallen earlier.

When he came to the residential outskirts of Waitara, where the speed limit changes to 50km, he slowed down somewhat but was still travelling at a speed of 100km.

As the defendant approached the right hand bend onto High St West, he braked and tried to negotiate the turn but due to his high speed, he lost control of the car, the court was told.

Peka’s car crossed the grass verge on the left side of the street in front of a house, then struck a concrete wall and a wooden power pole before coming to a stop.

The vehicle was extensively damaged in the crash and both Peka and his passenger were taken to hospital for medical treatment.

The teen passenger suffered a broken pelvis and concussion.

Yesterday, Peka pleaded guilty to a charge of driving dangerously causing injury.

He has no previous convictions. After the case was referred to restorative justice, Judge Chris Sygrove remanded the case for sentencing to December 12.