Travis Finlay convicted of driving offences
A teenager has paid a heavy price for doing a burnout while on his way to pick up pizza in his brother’s car, losing control and crashing outside a Dubbo car dealership.
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An apprentice painter who lost control of his brother’s car while trying to do a burnout and ended up crashing onto a footpath while his licence was suspended has been forced to pay up for his reckless driving.
Dubbo man Travis Brett Brook Finlay was on his way to collect pizza on the night of February 18 when he approached the intersection of North and Victoria Streets and tried to do a burnout.
According to court documents, the Holden Commodore the 19-year-old was driving mounted a gutter out the front of Western Plains Automotive and ended up on the footpath.
The car’s rear and front axles, along with its tyres, were destroyed.
With the car stuck, Finlay and two passengers got into another vehicle and left the scene.
Police investigating the crash contacted Finlay’s sister-in-law, who told officers he left her house in the car to get pizza.
The sister-in-law told police Finlay claimed he was T-boned and forced to choose between damaging the car or himself.
A day after the crash Finlay handed himself in to police who discovered his licence was suspended three days earlier.
In court he pleaded guilty to driving in a manner that caused a vehicle to experience a sustained loss of traction, driving while his licence was suspended and reckless driving.
Finlay’s lawyer said her client was about to become a father and complete a painting apprenticeship.
The court heard Finlay believed his actions were stupid and he would not drive recklessly again.
Magistrate Gary Wilson convicted Finlay of each offence and fined him a total of $1900.
Finlay’s licence was also disqualified for 12 months.
“I bet your brother was impressed you were doing burnouts in his car,” Magistrate Wilson told Finlay, who was supported by his girlfriend in court.
“You got your just deserts. I hope this has been a good lesson.”