A 19-year-old man was allegedly driving an unroadworthy and unregistered car when it was involved in a high-speed crash in Wendouree in February.
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Police allege Kieron Thomas, of Redan, had injected the drug ice intravenously about three hours before he drove a Holden Acclaim to pick up a friend on February 16.
Ballarat Highway Patrol Sergeant Ben Young told a bail application hearing on Wednesday Thomas, with his friend in the passenger seat, then drove around Ballarat for one hour before police saw him.
Sergeant Young said the teenager reached speeds of up to 120km/h in a 60km/h zone in Dowling Street before crashing into a Mazda sedan at the intersection of Howitt Street and Creswick Road.
He said evidence showed the car was travelling at 98km/h when it crashed into the car, causing serious injuries to Young’s passenger.
The driver of the Mazda was hospitalised for two months for her injuries, which are expected to affect her for the rest of her life.
Sergeant Young said Thomas told police after the crash he was “trying to get away” and admitted his driving was dangerous.
Police opposed the bail application, saying Thomas was at risk of reoffending and putting the community at risk, but defence lawyer Manny Brennan said he had strong family and youth justice support.
In giving evidence to the court, Thomas’ mother said her son chose drugs over his family in 2016 but he was “cutting ties” with drugs.
Magistrate Ron Saines granted Thomas bail with strict conditions, including to live at his parent’s house, abide by a curfew, report to police twice a week and not to drive. He will return to court on June 22.