Kyle Leach fronts court over Callala Beach crash

A young driver who crashed into a Callala Beach home during a police pursuit was allegedly “hooning” in his lime green Ford at the time.

Hooning through the streets of Callala Beach and Bay in a bright green car with number plates TOX5IC in the weeks leading up to the crash, police say they had “numerous” reports about Kyle Leach’s driving.

But on August 21, in the dark of the night, officers witnessed it for themselves, watching on as Leach did a burnout, completing two “entire 360s” at an intersection.

Leach’s case was mentioned in Nowra Local Court this week, laying bare the details of his behaviour.

“The rear tyres of the car lost traction with the roadway, causing a large amount of smoke,” police facts tendered to court read. When the car regained grip with the roadway, Leach accelerated and police activated lights and sirens in an attempt to stop him.

Supplied Editorial Callala Beach crash

Travelling at high speed to avoid police, police say the green Ford “nearly became airborne” on a rise in Callala Beach Road, which is a signposted 50 km/h zone.

The police pursuit was terminated because of safety concerns.

But it was when Leach tried to turn onto Lennox Road in the quiet coastal suburb that things went from bad to worse.

The 22-year-old lost control of the car, crashing through a fence and into the front of a home.

“The vehicle punched through the exterior of the wall and came to a rest within the home,” police say.

Officers said it was only through “sheer luck” no one was inside the home, which was under construction at the time of the crash.

“The risk not only to the accused, but to his passenger and the members of the public was at its absolute highest,” police facts state.

“If the premises of the home had been occupied, it would have most likely been fatal.”

Leach pleaded guilty to a range of chargers over the crash, including police pursuit at speed, failing to comply with the public health order, and sustained loss of traction.

A drug test taken on the night of the crash is still being forensically examined.

He’s on bail to live at a North Nowra address, and abide by a curfew to stay home between 6pm and 6am. Leach will be sentenced in October.

But, this incident isn’t the first time police have been made aware of the notable vehicle.

“Police have received multiple complaints about the vehicle in the past few weeks in relation to hooning, and there have been several social media posts about the vehicle and its manner or driving in the area,” police facts said.