A young Red Deer man speeding on a city street at rates of up to 150 km/h was jailed and fined when he appeared in court on Wednesday.
Stephen Scott, 23, received a 60-day sentence to be served in the community and was fined $2,500 by provincial court Judge John Holmes.
Scott pleaded guilty earlier but Holmes adjourned sentencing to consider arguments from the Crown and defence.
He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident in connection with the Oct. 12, 2008, incident.
Holmes said Scott, who had a female passenger, was speeding at between 130 and 150 km/h at 4 a.m. heading south on 30th Avenue. The speed limit there is 60 km/h.
Court heard that at 30th Avenue and 19th Street, Scott lost control when he ran a red light and struck the median.
The crash propelled his vehicle across the road, where it struck a utility pole and burst into flames.
Scott briefly talked to a witness, then fled the scene.
He was found about an hour later, court heard.
Scott, who also had his driving licence suspended for six months, had no previous criminal record.
“It showed an unbelievable lack of judgment,” Holmes said in court.
The judge noted that neither alcohol nor drugs were factors.
He said the driving pattern put the passenger and anyone who may have been around at risk.
“You were extremely fortunate you weren’t hurt,” the judge said.
Holmes said he had to issue a sentence that acted as a deterrent for others who engage in high-speed driving.
Scott is confined to 24-hour house arrest.
He can only leave home to work, attend medical appointments and shop for two hours a week.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com