Alex Adioski sentenced for driving double speed limit on M1, Waterfall

Police detected an P-plater travelling 174km/h in a 80km/h zone, more than double the limit, less than a month after he turned 18.

Alex Adioksi was caught driving at 174km/h in a 80km/h zone at Waterfall earlier this year. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

An Illawong teen who travelled at a ‘staggering’ 174km/h – more than double the speed limit – has been sentenced after he put his own life and other road users in serious danger.

Alex Joshua Adioski, 18, was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court on Monday after he pleaded guilty to driving in a dangerous manner.

Agreed facts tendered to court state Adioski was driving a grey Toyota HiLux northbound along the Princes Motorway near Waterfall about 10.20pm on January 24.

A police officer recorded him travelling 174km/h in a 80km/h zone.

Adioski was pulled over at Heathcote and showed the officer his P1 licence before he was issued with a notice to attend court while his licence was immediately suspended.

Alex Adioksi, 18, was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court on Monday. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

In court, defence lawyer Gabriella Harb made an application to have the charge dismissed under the Mental Health Act and Adioski discharged in the care of his doctor.

Ms Harb said her client suffered from ADHD and depression at the time and had been struggling to do his course at TAFE due to a learning difficulty and the change in educational support after high school.

She said the significant stresses in his life all “built up” and contributed to his actions, noting there was a “casual link” between the offending and his mental health.

The court heard Adioski’s mental health had improved in recent months after he had attended five sessions with a psychologist.

Adioski’s mental health application was refused in court.

She said her client had completed the traffic offenders program which had been a “massive eye opener” and Adioski had also recently been a passenger in a car collision which made him realise that cars can be a “weapon”.

Ms Harb said Adioski had stopped attending TAFE for now to focus on his new job and improve his mental health.

She also noted he needed his licence to attend work and had been relying on family members to drive him around.

Ms Kemp refused to divert Adioski under the Mental Health Act noting the seriousness of the incident.

“The speed is staggeringly high. He put himself at risk and other road users at risk,” she said.

“His manner of driving was such a grave departure from what is to be expected of a responsible driver.

“At the time he was a young inexperienced driver on his P1 licence.

“He was driving in such a speed and manner the car could have become a deadly weapon.”

Ms Kemp took into account Adioski’s age, no criminal history, his mental health at the time and that he was seeking treatment; but noted a conviction was necessary.

Adioski was sentenced to a 12-month community correction order where he must continue his mental health treatment; and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.