Canadian driver convicted in speedy lap around NYC, seen in online video

NEW YORK, N.Y. – A Canadian driver who whizzed across 42 kilometres of New York City in 24 minutes has been convicted of reckless endangerment for a stunt trumpeted in a dashboard-camera video posted online.

Adam Tang, 32, wasn’t in court to hear Thursday’s verdict even though a bench warrant was issued a day earlier after he didn’t show up for his misdemeanour trial.

Tang, a Canadian citizen married to an American woman, had pleaded not guilty to the charge, rejecting a plea offer of two months in jail. He could now face up to a year in jail at sentencing Dec. 8.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. says Tang’s “daredevil antics” put lives at risk.

Tang’s lawyer Gregory Gomez didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, but previously said there was no proof his client acted recklessly.

Tang was arrested in September 2013 after posting the dashboard-camera video, which drew hundreds of thousands of online views.

The video shows the car stopping for some red lights, but Tang told authorities he ran one.

Tang also claimed in court documents he never went over 160 kilometres per hour.

The video shows the car zooming close to other cars’ bumpers and making other risky manoeuvres, according to the documents, and while Tang acknowledged seeing other drivers hit their brakes when they saw him coming, he said he never cut off any other motorists.