A Sydney man, who allegedly engaged police in a 120km/h car chase in North Wollongong while over the legal alcohol limit, was refused bail in Port Kembla Local Court on Sunday.
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Tyrone Karaitiana, 24, of Ruse in Sydney, faced court charged with several driving matters, including mid-range PCA and dangerous driving.
Police allege that Karaitiana was driving a silver Commodore along Achilles Avenue, North Wollongong, at 7.50pm on Saturday night when he did a burnout at the Flinders Street intersection.
He allegedly followed that up with a second burnout as he turned right into Flinders Street, temporarily losing control of the car.
Police saw this and began a pursuit towards Fairy Meadow, where speeds reached as much as 120km/h in a 60km/h zone.
At the Memorial Drive intersection, he allegedly mounted the median strip to pass several cars queuing up at the lights.
Approaching the roundabout at Mount Ousley, Karaitiana hit the median strip and lost control, police said.
"The speed causing [sic] the vehicle to be airborne and collide with the concrete in the centre of the roundabout," the police facts claim.
"The vehicle continued on two wheels and collided with the kerb causing extensive damage to the vehicle."
Karaitiana then allegedly drove on the wrong side of the road before turning into Soudan Street in Fairy Meadow.
Once there, he got out of his car and fled to the south.
Police found an unconscious man in the front passenger seat of the Commodore.
Karaitiana was arrested shortly thereafter in a nearby Subway restaurant, where he was allegedly trying to buy clothing from other customers.
A blood alcohol test at Wollongong police station showed a reading of 0.097.
Opposing bail, police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Shannon Ryan said there was a need to protect the community and said Karaitiana could reoffend.
Defence solicitor Elizabeth Parkes said Karaitiana claimed this was a case of mistaken identity and that he was not the driver of the vehicle.
She said he was buying clothing at Subway because he was excluded from the North Gong Hotel, where the Santa Claus pub crawl was in progress, and was trying to obtain suitable clothing to get in.
Ms Parkes suggested if granted bail, Karaitiana could report to Campbelltown Police and that his parents could provide surety.
However, registrar Nicole Hoffmann refused bail.
"I'm of the view that this is a serious offence that involved a police pursuit and lives were put in danger," Ms Hoffmann said.
Karaitiana will appear at Port Kembla Local Court on Monday.