A Hastings petrol station is facing a $150,000 bill after a drunk 17-year-old motorist wrote off the company's car wash.
The driver, Ilawikitoria Cleone Bennett, appeared in Hastings District Court this week and admitted slamming into BP Stortford Lodge's car wash while racing another car on December 30, causing substantial damage to her vehicle and the car wash.
During her sentencing, the court heard BP had been forced to build a temporary $33,000 car wash since the incident, yet now needed to replace it with a new unit at a cost of about $150,000.
Police prosecutor Nigel Wolland said the company underwrote its own insurance, and would have to foot the bill itself.
Bennett was racing her Honda Accord with another car on Omahu Rd about 2am, where she lost control, mounted the curb and roundabout before smashing into the car wash. She fled on foot but was caught and arrested a short time later.
Later she returned a blood alcohol level of 79mg. The legal limit for drivers under 20 years is 30mg.
The teenager entered guilty pleas to charges of excess blood alcohol and dangerous driving.
Bennett's lawyer, Brian Webby, said the incident was the result of wet conditions, alcohol and his client's driving inexperience.
Judge Bridget Mackintosh said she couldn't make any "sensible order" for the teenager to repay "the thick end of $150,000".
"The reality is any reparation order is going to be a waste of time," she said.
"You're lucky there was no one standing in the way ... you might think it's a laugh but it's not.
"This amount of damage is a big deal ... you'll probably be hearing more from them [BP]."
Mr Wolland said BP had indicated they would pursue civil action to obtain the funds.
On the drink drive and dangerous driving charges Bennett was fined $500 and $350. She was also ordered to pay $266 court costs and $168 medical fees.
A spokeswoman for BP said the company was "looking at all options" before considering civil action.
Drunk teen's crash leaves $150,000 bill
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