A rare Holden Commodore SS V8 Ute that was clocked traveling at an astonishing 155 mph on a major highway has been crushed by police.
Tarelle Lewis Charles Power-Williams, 20, was on his L plates when he was caught speeding on South Australia’s North South Motorway.
The young father of two was driving so fast that his gearbox exploded.
Defense attorney Andrew Williams said the father-of-two (pictured) had become caught up in ‘a self-destructive cycle’ of economic disadvantage, mental health issues and persistent unemployment
A Holden Commodore Ute, traveling at 253km/h on a major highway in South Australia, has been crushed by SA police in a warning to other dangerous drivers.
Police applied to seize the unregistered vehicle as part of their case against Power-Williams, opting to publicly crush it Friday as a disposal method.
Many Aussies praised the police for crushing the car.
“Very satisfying to watch,” one wrote.
“Good, I took him to watch the show,” joked one commenter.
But Holden aficionados couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw the prize car brutally destroyed.
“Terrible to look at such a beautiful car,” added another.
“Should I have asked for parts first,” one car enthusiast remarked.
Power-Williams, 20, was jailed in July for his threatening driving.
Magistrate Benjamin Sale described him as “the most dangerous man in the state” during the height of his speeding offenses at the same court earlier this month.
Magistrate Sale said Power-Williams “appeared to have no regard for his safety or anyone else’s” as the court heard during an earlier appearance that he drove “aggressively” across three lanes.
“This is not just being, as he described it ‘ad****head’, but this seems to be an insult that often only ends one way … if he keeps doing it, he will commit suicide or he will die someone else.’
“On the occasions when he drove the way I’ve heard he was probably the most dangerous person in the state during those minutes he drove,” Magistrate Sale said.
Defense attorney Andrew Williams told the court that the young man was ashamed of his behavior and had taken risks without thinking about the consequences.
But Magistrate Sale asked Mr. Williams why his client deliberately chose to drive at extreme speeds.
“Does he just not care about his own life or the lives of others?” he asked.
Mr Williams told the court his client had become caught in ‘a self-destructive cycle’ of economic deprivation, mental health problems and persistent unemployment.
He added that Power-Williams had been influenced by drugs, alcohol and negative peer pressure.
A psychological report revealed to the court revealed that Power-Williams had had a difficult upbringing, tainted by his parents’ drug use that desensitized him.
Mr Williams said his client was young and immature, prompting the magistrate to say his client was likely to be ‘a risk to the community for years to come’.
The court heard in sentencing on Thursday that Power-Williams had told a psychologist 18 months ago that he was done with crime and dangerous driving.
Magistrate Sale said Power-Williams had failed to reconcile his actions with his words.
The young man was sentenced to one year and four months behind bars, with a non-parole period of seven months.
He was disqualified from driving for at least six years.
SA Police Traffic Services Branch officer-in-charge Darren Fielke said the crush serves as a warning.
‘This could affect motorists who drive on our roads at extreme speeds; jail; have your vehicle crushed and sold for scrap; and a disqualification from driving,” said Mr. Fielke.
“This is a warning to all motorists: be responsible on our roads. It will save lives, keep you out of jail and you will be able to continue driving your vehicle.
‘The behavior of every motorist influences the safety of every other road user. Road trauma has catastrophic consequences for families and communities, and we cannot tolerate drivers blatantly ignoring that responsibility.”
Power-Williams (pictured) was sentenced to one year and four months behind bars, with a non-parole period of seven months
Power-Williams was sentenced in July to one year and four months in prison, with a non-parole period of seven months – he was also given an indefinite driving license disqualification.
In 2023, 74 people have died on SA roads so far – compared to 46 people at the same time in 2022.
Tarelle Lewis Charles Power-Williams (pictured), 20, banned from driving and will spend time behind bars
The young man was caught speeding in a black holden ute (pictured) on January 30 that was not registered on the North South Highway at Waterloo Corner in Adelaide.
SA Police Minister Joe Szakacs said it justified crushing the Commodore.
“Hooning is not an innocent act,” he said.
“This is a stark reminder of this fact seen in the state toll collection.”
“The easiest way to keep your car keys is to avoid dangerous driving. Lives are at stake.
“Idiot and selfish risk taking on South Australian roads puts anyone using our roads in unnecessary danger.”
The ruins of the car are sold for scrap with the proceeds going to the Victims of Crime Fund.
Power-Williams was clocked by police driving 155 mph in the ute, which was 90 mph over the speed limit