Lazarus Paul Seden hit-and-run case adjourned to February 1 for committal mention

A young Mackay man has been charged with a range of offences after he allegedly struck an elderly woman with a car in Mount Pleasant, causing her life-threatening injuries.

Lazarus Paul Seden. Picture: Facebook

A Mackay magistrate has lost his patience with the slow delivery of evidence in a shocking alleged hit-and-run case, calling out the prosecution and refusing a request for more time.

Lazarus Paul Seden, 19, has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm after he allegedly struck 75-year-old Wendy Kruske with a car in Mount Pleasant on November 20, 2022 and then allegedly left the scene without calling for help.

Defence solicitor David Epstein and police prosecutor Michelle Bay appeared before Magistrate Damien Dwyer on January 20 to determine a delivery date for the prosecution’s brief of evidence.

When Ms Bay requested an extension to February 6 to organise statements from doctors, Mr Dwyer expressed anger at the proposal and said the prosecution had already had two months to prepare the brief.

“We’ve got a young man sitting in custody waiting for this, Ms Bay,” he said.

“You have already had over two months.

“There is still a presumption of innocence.”

Lazarus Paul Seden. Picture: Facebook

At an earlier hearing in November, Mr Dwyer had asked for the brief to be presented on January 13.

“I don’t know why, quite frankly, and I think it is about time you did, why these doctors are so reticent to give their statements,” he said, his voice rising.

“Let me know, I will issue summonses for them and they can come in here and give their evidence.

“I am not going to have young men who have been charged with matters but not convicted sitting in custody waiting for a doctor to get off his hands to sign a piece of paper.”

Mr Dwyer rejected Ms Bay’s request for a February 6 date and ordered the “full brief” to be delivered by February 1.

“If it is not available then, the officer can come in and tell me why it has not been done,” Mr Dwyer said.

“If he doesn’t show up, I will issue a warrant for his arrest.

“Enough is enough.”

Mr Dwyer adjourned the case to February 1 for committal mention.

Mrs Kruske was taken to Mackay Base Hospital in a critical condition but has since been discharged.