P-plater crashes after being clocked at 183km/h

Dongara police say a 17-year-old P-plater is lucky to be alive after crashing his Holden Commodore into a fence south of Geraldton just minutes after officers allegedly detected him driving at 183km/h.

Police said they were driving south on Brand Highway at Bookara about 10.20pm yesterday, when they detected the oncoming Commodore travelling at 73km/h over the speed limit.

However, officers were unable to pursue the driver because they were on their way to drop home a 45-year-old Bonniefield man who had allegedly tested positive for driving under the influence of methamphetamine.

After notifying Geraldton police and dropping the man at his home, less than a kilometre away, officers went in pursuit of the speeder.

Officer-in-charge at Dongara Police Station, Sergeant Grant Rosman, said about three kilometres down the highway officers were waved down by the driver of the commodore, who had lost control and crashed into a fence.

“I think he had applied the brakes, then lost control and skidded, and I believe he’s crossed onto the opposite side of the ride before crashing into the fence,” he said.

Sgt Rosman said the 17-year-old probationary driver, from Greenough, and an 18-year-old female passenger from Jurien Bay were both unharmed, but the car was stuck on the fence.

The boy allegedly told police the pair were returning from Jurien Bay and were in a hurry to get home.

Sgt Rosman described the speed as “ridiculous” and said it was a miracle no one were was injured.

“There is no excuse for that kind of driving, and it puts not only him but all other road users at serious risk.

“Some features of the road itself were bound to cause a crash at that speed and there’s no way that he could have kept the vehicle under control.”

The boy was charged with reckless driving and had his car seized for 28 days.

He will face Geraldton Magistrate’s Court at a later date.

The 45-year Bonniefield man will also face Geraldton Magistrate’s Court at a later date.

Sgt Rosman said he was stopped on Brand Highway after police ran a number plate check and discovered his licence had been expired since 2004.

He was given a roadside drug test and taken to Geraldton Police Station after allegedly testing positive for methamphetamine.

He was charged with driving under the influence of an illicit substance and driving without a licence.