Lazarus Paul Seden pleads guilty to dangerous driving, but denies meth allegation
A hit and run teen driver at the wheel of a stolen car that caused two crashes that seriously injured three people denied he was on drugs at the time of the second crash. DETAILS
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A hit and run teen driver at the wheel of a stolen car that ploughed into two vehicles in separate crashes that seriously injured three people has pleaded guilty to the charges.
But Lazarus Paul Seden denies he was high on meth at the time of the second crash.
Seden had engaged in a crime spree on November 20, 2023 when he caused a horror crash at the Bruce Highway and Sams Rd intersection at Mount Pleasant about 6.30am after slamming into a vehicle and left then 75-year-old Wendy Kruske fighting for her life before fleeing.
She was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
On Friday, he pleaded guilty in Mackay District Court to dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and failing to remain at the scene over this crash.
Seden was later involved in a second crash on the Bruce Highway at Farleigh – a head-on collision – about 2pm that seriously injured two people.
He was arrested at the scene and the couple were taken to hospital.
For that Seden is charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm while adversely affected by methylamphetamines.
He admitted the dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm charges, but denied being high on meth at the time of the crash.
“So you’re pleading guilty to the act of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm … but you are not pleading guilty to the aggravating feature of that conduct,” Judge Jennifer Rosengren said.
It is alleged Seden was under the influence of meth when the second crash occurred.
“Not guilty,” he said via video link.
Seden was 19 at the time of his arrest and appeared in court from custody where he remains on remand.
In total he pleaded guilty to eight charges including the three counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, as well as charges of burglary by break and steal, enter premises with intent, unlawful use motor vehicle.
Barrister Scott McLennan said he intended to send a submission to crown prosecution regarding the meth allegation.
Matters were adjourned to later this month for mention.
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