Teenager charged with reckless driving after alleged burnouts end in power pole crash on Albany street

Albany police have charged a teenager with reckless driving after an incident in Yakamia on Sunday night in which he allegedly did burnouts and crashed into a power pole on a suburban street. Albany officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Carlos Correia told the Advertiser police will allege the 19-year-old was driving a Ford Falcon about 10pm on April 12 on Notley Street in Yakamia, driving recklessly and at speed. He said the accused accelerated heavily to the end of the short street, before completing two burnouts in the cul-de-sac. The accused then allegedly lost control of the vehicle and drove on to the verge before swerving across to the opposite side of the road and hitting a power pole. Sen. Sgt Correia said the pole, which is located only metres from the front wall of a house, was left at about a 45-degree angle from the force of the crash. He said the accused driver told police he was “showing off” when he was arrested. On Monday morning, the damaged power pole remained at an angle, cordoned off with orange tape while it awaited repair, and black tyre marks were also visible around the cul-de-sac at the end of the street, as well as on the grass verge on both sides of the road where the vehicle allegedly left the road. The 19-year-old was charged on Monday and received a summons to Albany Magistrates Court. He will make his first appearance on May 14.