Alleged Murray Bridge hit-run driver Paul Logan could face lesser charge

An alleged drunken hit-run driver could be facing lesser charges over an incident that left a motorcyclist with a broken pelvis.

Police at an incident in Murray Bridge Picture: Michael Marschall (File)

A Murray Bridge father accused of a drunken hit-run involving a motorcyclist could potentially have his dangerous driving charge downgraded, a court has heard.

Paul Logan, 55, has been charged with a raft of offences – including causing serious harm by dangerous driving, driving in a reckless or dangerous manner, leaving an accident scene after causing serious harm and driving with excess blood alcohol – after allegedly hitting a motorcyclist in November last year.

Mr Logan was due to enter a plea in the Adelaide Magistrate Court on Thursday, however his defence lawyer asked the court for an adjournment because one of his client’s charges would potentially be downgraded.

Prosecutors allege Mr Logan was the driver of a white Hyundai which committed a U-turn, causing the alleged victim to collide with the rear passenger corner of the defendant’s vehicle on Sunday, November 6 last year.

The incident left a man with a broken pelvis and a collapsed lung lying on the road, the court previously heard.

The court previously heard Mr Logan was arrested on the day of the incident, when he presented to the Murray Bridge Police Station at 9pm – five hours after witnesses saw the car collide with a motorbike – where the defendant returned a positive result for exceeding the prescribed concentration of alcohol with a rating of 0.232.

Prosecutors on Thursday told the court fresh information revealed Mr Logan’s blood alcohol was allegedly higher than the reading they received at the time.

“We have recently received new information regarding the accused’s blood alcohol at the time of the collision,” prosecutors said.

“It puts the reading as higher than what we had originally alleged.”

Sean Nottle, for Mr Logan told magistrate Simon Smart negotiations were underway to potentially downgrade his client’s “stand alone” dangerous driving charge to driving without due care.

“There may also be, in relation to the dangerous driving charge, an amendment to that,” Mr Nottle said.

“It may be reduced to a due care charge.

“We just need 1-2 weeks to iron out a resolution.”

Mr Logan will next appear in court at the end of the month.