Driver crashed after 190km/h getaway

File photo / NZ Herald

A Stockton mineworker crashed his vehicle after speeding away from police at up to 190km/h, the Westport District Court was told yesterday.

Kyle Harris, 24, Westport, pleaded guilty to reckless driving and failing to stop for police.

The chase began after police spotted Harris driving at 102km/h around bends with a recommended limit of 60km/h on State Highway 7 near Hanmer Springs.

Harris was driving a car with an expired warrant which had received several non-operational notices from police.

When Harris saw the police he accelerated and pulled onto the other side of the road to overtake, causing traffic to swerve out of his way.

During the police pursuit he reached speeds of up to 190km/h.

Police abandoned the chase due to concern for public safety in heavy holiday traffic.

However, Harris kept speeding until he lost control on a corner and crashed into a bank, leaving skid marks 125m long.

He told police he didn't want to get caught.

Defending, Doug Taffs said Harris had enrolled in a defensive driving course and was well-respected by his employer who wanted to keep him on.

He earned $800 a week and still owed $3000 from $5000 on his car.

Judge Emma Smith told Harris: "This piece of driving was hideous".

His parents, who were in court to support him, could easily have been at a funeral instead, she said.

Harris had also shown no consideration for public or police safety.

Judge Smith convicted and fined Harris $700, disqualified him from driving for 11 months, confiscated his vehicle and sentenced him to 200 hours of community work.

She also thanked his parents for turning up to court.