An Oamaru man says a passenger falling out of his car was the "worst day of his life". Photo / ODT
An Oamaru man says a passenger falling out of his car was the "worst day of his life". Photo / ODT
An Oamaru man says a passenger falling out of his car was the "worst day of his life".
Shane William Evans, 19, a former Kia Ora dairy farm worker, was this week convicted in the Oamaru District Court on one charge of driving in a dangerous manner, although counsel KatherineHenry conceded he was lucky not to face more serious charges.
On November 16, Evans had been driving his Ford Falcon in Oamaru's Esplanade, an area with a 30kmh speed limit. He was near a playground and in an area popular with sightseers.
An intoxicated female friend was in the front passenger seat.
Evans had been parked at the northern end of the Esplanade before accelerating heavily south towards Waterfront Rd at speeds of up to 80kmh, past several parked cars and over two speed humps.
At the intersection, the passenger fell from the vehicle. Neither Evans nor the passenger know how this happened.
Evans continued for a short distance before he realised he had lost his passenger, and went back to find her unconscious and bleeding.
She had bruising to her hands and face and lost two teeth.