'Trasher Tolley' crushes boyracer car (+video)

The first boy racer to collect three strikes for illegal driving had his car turned into a metal pancake this morning.

A grinning Police Minister Anne Tolley pressed the button to crush the Nissan Laurel at a Lower Hutt scrap metal yard.

Ms Tolley said it sent a ''graphic'' deterrent to illegal street racers.

The car's owner was found guilty of driving while suspended, wheel-spinning and dangerous driving.

The three strikes earned him 21 months' disqualification from driving and a crushed car. He has committed a fourth driving offence since.

It has taken four years for the first car to be crushed since the legislation was introduced.

But former Police Minister Judith Collins said yesterday that 116 drivers were on their second strike.

Ms Tolley said Mrs Collins had wanted to be at the first crushing but had to attend select commitee this morning.