Driver who collided with financier Allan Hubbard, in court again after wrecking his $ 250,000 sports car

Almost nine years after causing a fatal accident, a man wrecked his replica of a $ 250,000 sports car on a Dunedin highway, a court has heard.

Self-employed builder Andrew John Earl, 48, appeared in Dunedin District Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was fined $ 1,500.

The court heard that the defendant was showing the Ford GT40 replica to his 16-year-old daughter’s boyfriend when he lost control, crashed into the back of a ute and crashed into the central barrier, ripping off the vehicle door and leaving debris scattered everywhere. the highway.

Judge Dominic Dravitzki said the accident on State Highway 1 on June 1 could have resulted in serious injuries and noted that the defendant had a prior conviction for driving in 2011.

On that occasion, the consequences were more serious.

Earl, drowsy or asleep at the wheel, crossed the center line while driving his Ute down State Highway 1, north of Oamaru.

He collided head-on with an oncoming car, killing Timaru’s financier Allan Hubbard, 83, and wounding his wife, Jean.

Earl was found guilty by Judge Gary McAskill and fined $ 2,500, a decision that was upheld on appeal.

The Otago Daily Times asked the defendant how such recklessness could come as a consequence of causing a tragedy less than a decade ago, but he declined to discuss it.

“I really don’t want to comment on the Hubbard case. It was done and dusted off some time ago,” he said.

Earl wanted to emphasize that the vehicle involved in his latest accident may not be registered and warranted, but it was not built at home.

He said the car had been used on the roads of the United States and Australia before importing it last year.

The court heard that Earl picked up the teenage passenger in his Porsche 911 and took him to see his sports car collection.

They decided to test the GT40.

Driving through Mosgiel, Earl accelerated hard, speeding up and braking hard between gaps in traffic.

On the highway, which was very busy with Christmas traffic, the defendant accelerated hard “causing the engine to roar” as he passed several motorists.

Approaching a ute, Earl swerved into the left lane to pass on the inside, but lost traction.

“It was definitely not my proudest moment,” he told the ODT.

“I’m so glad no one was hurt. It could have been a lot worse.”

The car, Earl said, was “recoverable” but had been damaged for about $ 30,000 and was not insured.

Along with the fine, Judge Dravitzki banned him from driving for eight months.

Attorney Nathan Laws said that would be particularly difficult for his client, who was an only father of four.