Keith Rex McKenzie sentenced for wild pursuit through Wyoming, Lisarow and Somersby

A teenager used “whatever means possible to avoid apprehension” when he led police on a pursuit from Wyoming to Somersby, crossing onto the wrong side of the road and running red lights.

A 19-year-old unemployed P-plater has faced Gosford Local Court after pleading guilty to three counts of failing to stop during a police pursuit, speeding more than 45km/h over the limit and resisting police.

Keith Rex McKenzie, whose last known address was Singleton in the Hunter Valley, appeared via video link for his sentencing on Thursday.

An agreed set of facts states Traffic & Highway Patrol officers were checking speeds on the Pacific Highway at Wyoming at 11.37am on May 19 when they detected his Toyota HiLux travelling 95km/h in a 60km/h zone.

Keith McKenzie, 19, of Singleton, has been sentenced for leading police on a wild pursuit on the Central Coast. Picture: Facebook

Police pulled in behind him and activated their lights and sirens.

“Police have pursued the accused for approximately 20 seconds where the accused has turned in front of two lanes of traffic and travelled on the incorrect side of the roadway,” the facts state.

“Due to the serious risk of the accused, police have self terminated the pursuit.”

He was spotted a minute later on Dwyer St, North Gosford, with police following him through a few streets before he turned onto Henry Parry Drive where he “skidded through” a red light.

“The accused has immediately travelled onto the incorrect side of the road at a speed of no less than 80km/h in the signposted 60km/h zone,” the facts state.

“At the time traffic was extremely busy due to the time of day and the actions of the accused placed the community at significant risk.”

Police had to call the pursuit off a couple of times because of safety concerns.

Officers terminated the pursuit but by then multiple police cars were circling the area.

He was seen on Deane St, Narara, where a marked car began following him but not engaging in a pursuit.

“Without any hesitation the accused has travelled onto the incorrect side of the roadway at speed through a red stop sign and travelled at speed onto Narara Valley Drive towards Lisarow,” the facts state.

An unmarked car caught up to him in Narooma Rd and saw him turn into Railway Crescent, Lisarow where he became blocked by heavy traffic.

“Police have attempted to intercept the accused by blocking him in,” the facts state.

“In doing so the accused has accelerated harshly from lane one to two through a stop sign onto the incorrect side of the roadway.”

Keith Rex McKenzie, 19, of Woy Woy, has been charged with dangerous driving and failing to stop during a police pursuit. Picture: Facebook

He then travelled 90km/h through a 40km/h road works zone and when he got to a red light at the intersection of Glen Rd, Ourimbah, he “completely ignored this and continued at speed, narrowly missing several vehicles”.

He ran another red light at Dog Trap Rd, “narrowly missing several collisions”.

McKenzie turned onto Dog Trap Rd and onto Wisemans Ferry Rd at Somersby where he overtook cars on the wrong side of the road and was clocked at 130km/h in a 70km/h zone.

He travelled for another 15km south on Wiseman’s Ferry Rd when he came to another red light.

“The accused has merged into a designated breakdown lane and proceeded through the signal, in doing so the accused vehicle has hit a concrete barrier where it has rendered his vehicle inoperable,” the facts state.

Officers approached and asked him to get out but he ignored them.

“Police have been required to use reasonable force in removing the accused from the driver’s seat. The accused has continued ignoring all police direction in resisting arrest by thrashing his body from side to side and tensing his arms,” the facts state.

McKenzie was sentenced at Gosford Local Court. Picture: Sue Graham

He was later interviewed and told police he had smoked ice the previous evening.

“The accused showed zero remorse for his actions and stated he figured it would be the same charges had he stopped,” the facts state.

“The entire pursuit lasted a protracted period with the accused demonstrating he would use whatever means possible to avoid apprehension.”

McKenzie was disqualified for two years and sentenced to 14 months jail with a non-parole period of four months.

With time served since his arrest he will be eligible for release on September 18.