Police arrested a group of "stupid" young men after they posted uncensored footage of their dangerous driving antics on the internet.
Investigators fielded complaints from as far away as Britain after the young men uploaded the film to the web.
The three-minute film was taken in July and shows a
modified Subaru Impreza WRX racing up and down a suburban Christchurch street, performing 360 degree spins and burnouts before crashing into a tree.
At one point the car almost collides with another motorist driving in the opposite direction. Smoke pours from the car's tyres as it tears along the street.
Once the car crashes, several young men are caught on video running to check the occupants and push it down the road.
James William White, 20, appeared in court yesterday charged with reckless driving after the film, which featured the car's number plate, prompted complaints from throughout New Zealand and overseas.
White pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 120 hours community work and was disqualified from driving for nine months.
Canterbury road policing manager, Inspector Derek Erasmus, said several people were involved in the incident, which could only be described as "stupid".
During the film, the car heads straight for a small group watching and filming from the side of the road.
Someone could have been killed, Mr Erasmus said.
"They always say in a rally, 'Don't stand on the outside of a corner', and that's where these guys are standing.
"We looked at a lot of different charges, but our legal advice was we could get them for reckless driving."
Mr Erasmus said the vehicle could not be seized because White no longer had it. White had denied posting the film on the internet.
"Members of the public recognised the street and police were able to track down the owner of the car through the registration seen on the internet and identified the driver through analysis of the film," Mr Erasmus said.
"He was the author of his own demise. If you perform a criminal act, we shall pursue you."
It was not known if a cellphone or camera was used for filming.
"This film shows we are dealing with people who have no regard for their own safety or anyone else's," Mr Erasmus said.
- nzpa
