Meth driver looking ‘to kill’ crashes with $20k in car

A driver wanting ‘‘to kill someone’’ caused a crash at a busy New Plymouth intersection – leading police to the discovery of a cache of the drugs cocaine and MDMA and nearly $20,000.

Yesterday, Shay Leslie Russell Mahon appeared in New Plymouth District Court where he pleaded guilty to reckless driving, failing to stop or ascertain injury, possession for supply of MDMA, possession of cocaine and driving while under the influence of methamphetamine.

According to the Crown summary of facts, the 28-year-old caused a collision with two other vehicles at the intersection of Courtney and Eliot streets around 6.10pm on September 27.

Mahon did not stop after the crash, and a member of the public followed him as he continued driving.

Police stopped Mahon nearby on Hobson St and, as they were securing the vehicle for towing, officers spotted in plain sight a container holding white powder.

The Search and Surveillance Act 2012 for drugs was invoked and a further search of the vehicle turned up a total of five containers with drugs inside.

In total, 29g of cocaine, a class A controlled drug, and 35g of MDMA was found in the car and $19,840 was found on Mahon.

As a result of the accident and Mahon’s behaviour, police took him to Taranaki Base Hospital for a medical check.

While there, a blood sample was taken and returned a positive result for meth.

Mahon told police he had run seven red lights and was doing more than 100 kilometres per hour when he crashed.

He ‘‘wanted to kill someone and couldn’t stop himself’’, the summary said. No one was injured in the crash.

‘‘He gave no explanation for the other outlined offending and refused to speak about the items located in his vehicle,’’ the summary added.

Police later searched Mahon’s Ha¯ wera home and a further 500 grams of MDMA, a class B controlled drug, was found.

In court, defence lawyer Nathan Bourke entered guilty pleas on behalf of Mahon. Further charges, including one of money laundering, would be withdrawn at sentencing, it was heard.

Bourke said alcohol and drug reports would be obtained and he asked for the matter to be referred to restorative justice.

Judge Gregory Hikaka ordered a pre-sentence report which would include electronic options.

Mahon will be sentenced on June 11. His electronically monitored bail would continue until then.