63-Year-Old Southland Driver Faces Court After Reaching Quadruple the Speed Limit in Sports Car
A 63-year-old man from Southland has found himself facing serious legal consequences after engaging in dangerous high-speed driving that alarmed residents and prompted multiple public reports to law enforcement. The incident occurred in the Edendale community on December 24, when police received numerous calls from community members describing a black sports car traveling at excessive speeds throughout the area.
The vehicle in question was identified as a black 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, a high-performance sports car valued at approximately $160,000. Investigation revealed that the driver had returned to the Edendale area on multiple occasions, during which he allegedly traveled at speeds exceeding four times the posted speed limit. Beyond the excessive speeding, the driver also engaged in burnouts within the residential community, further demonstrating a pattern of reckless and dangerous driving behavior.
During his repeated visits to the area, the driver took several people for rides in the high-powered vehicle, exposing passengers and the broader community to significant risk through his dangerous operating practices. The combination of extreme speeding, burnouts, and transporting passengers at such excessive velocities created a hazardous situation with considerable potential for serious injury or death.
Public vigilance played a crucial role in identifying and apprehending the offender. Community members who witnessed the dangerous driving reported the incident to police in real time, providing critical information that enabled law enforcement to locate the vehicle and driver. Police conducted initial inquiries based on this public information, ultimately identifying both the vehicle and its operator.
On January 13, police executed a search warrant at a property in the vicinity of Edendale. During this operation, the 63-year-old driver was suspended from driving for a period of 28 days and issued a summons to appear in court. The black Chevrolet Corvette Z06 was seized and impounded for an identical 28-day period, removing the high-performance vehicle from circulation and effectively preventing further dangerous driving incidents.
The man is scheduled to appear in Gore District Court on February 11 to face formal charges of sustained loss of traction and reckless driving. These charges reflect the serious nature of his conduct and the significant danger his driving posed to the community.
Police have specifically acknowledged the role played by community members in reporting the incident and assisting with the investigation. The real-time information provided by concerned residents proved essential in locating the vehicle and driver, demonstrating the critical partnership between law enforcement and the public in maintaining community safety.