Man admits drug use, leading police on chase

Troy Posinkovich pleaded guilty to charges of arson, failing to stop, driving in a dangerous manner, driving whilst forbidden, refusing blood, and receiving.

A Whangarei man has admitted fleeing from police in a stolen car before setting the vehicle alight while under the influence of methamphetamine and cannabis.

Troy Posinkovich, 31, yesterday pleaded guilty in the Whangarei District Court to charges of arson, failing to stop, driving in a dangerous manner, driving whilst forbidden, refusing blood, and receiving.

Police withdraw one charge of aggravated assault.

The summary of facts stated Posinkovich sped off in a stolen Toyota Corolla after being approached by police at Whakapara, north of Whangarei, on January 9 this year.

Posinkovich reached speeds of 120km/h before braking hard then turning into Old Russell Rd. That road is a winding, tarsealed road with a speed limit of 100km/h and is the main arterial route for holidaymakers running from Whakapara out to the east coast and up to Russell.

Posinkovich accelerated at speeds of 120km/h and began swerving across the centre line and on the wrong side of the road.

He then turned into Pigs' Head Rd - a narrow windy metal road with a number of one-lane bridges on it - and continued driving at speed while swerving across the road in front of oncoming vehicles.

He attempted to smash the police car's windscreen and slow officers down by throwing items out of the car he was driving.

Posinkovich then turned into Whananaki North Rd and the car he was driving stopped on top of a hill after running out of fuel.

He set the car alight before running off through farm land but was caught with the help of a local farmer.

When spoken to by police, Posinkovich admitted consuming methamphetamine and cannabis before driving and he also failed a drug impairment test.

Posinkovich refused to provide a blood sample.

He told police he paid $600 for the Toyota Corolla from a person but refused to provide details .

The aggravated assault charge related to him allegedly reversing the burning vehicle towards the stationary police car.

Posinkovich was remanded in custody to be sentenced on March 8.