Teen given second chance after dangerous driving charge dropped

GEORGETOWN — A 17- yearold who liberally tested out the power of a rental car this past summer had his case of dangerous driving withdrawn in provincial court here Thursday.

The youth, who can’t be named, was behind the wheel of a 2013 Dodge Charger filled with teens in June when he was stopped by police after doing 140 kilometres an hour through New Perth.

“It was an accident waiting to happen,” said Sgt. Kevin Baillie at the time, adding the speeding car was driving over rainy and dangerous roads and operated by someone with a beginner’s licence.

Baillie said some of the five passengers in the back of the vehicle were pleading with the driver to slow down.

Open liquor was found in the car, but police do not believe the driver was drinking. Baillie said the youth was asked by the rental car customer, who had been drinking, to pick somebody up.

“It was a plea resolution,’’ explained Crown prosecutor Lisa Goulden in court Thursday.

“It’s like a second chance … the officer felt it should be dropped considering the circumstances and the situation of the young man.”

However, while the youth court charge was dropped, several Highway Traffic Act charges surrounding the incident were not and hundreds of dollars of fines have since been paid.