Peter Loeschnauer: ACT Supreme Court hears tributes to crash death victim Lachlan Seary

The family of rising hockey star Lachlan Seary has revealed their daily struggle in the ACT Supreme Court after he was killed by a man driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

The “broken” family of rising hockey star Lachlan Seary has faced the man behind the wheel of a car when he was killed in a horror collision, telling the ACT Supreme Court his actions “left an emotional scar that will never heal”.

The court heard gut-wrenching tributes to Mr Seary, who died just 10 days before his 20th birthday in a horrific crash on the Monaro Highway in Hume.

The 19-year old was the designated driver of his friendship group and was driving late to ensure his mates returned home safely in the early hours of March 8, 2021.

But Seary never returned home.

While driving home to Wanniassa his Toyota Corolla was hit by a Honda Civic causing his car to veer off the road into a ditch where he later hit a tree and died at the scene.

The driver of the Honda, Peter Loeschnauer, 29, pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death in September.

Loeschnauer has also pleaded guilty to level four drink-driving and drug-driving.

Canberra Braves player Lachlan Seary died on the Monaro Highway at Hume after he was involved in a crash.

The court heard seven victim impact statements from family members including Seary’s parents, sister, aunts, grandmother and uncle which painted a portrait of a promising young man.

They told the court he had an electrician's apprenticeship and ice hockey career lined up, and portrayed a young man who was as compassionate as he was cheeky.

His father Gary Seary told the court the death of his son had a profound impact on his mental health.

“I am a broken man,” Mr Seary said.

“This has left an emotional scar that will never heal

“I miss Lachlan every moment of every day,”

“I have prayed I won’t wake up so I can be with Lachlan”

He lamented that his son, who would be turning 21 next month, had been robbed of the important milestones of life “we take for granted”.

Mr Seary said he was “incapable of forgiveness” and said no sentence would be enough.

Lachlan’s mother, Janice Seary told the court about breaking the news to her two other children.

“A mother is supposed to look after her babies but I couldn’t,” Mrs Seary Said.

“How do you tell your son his brother is dead?”

She told the court about the last time she saw her son at a viewing the day before his funeral.

“His body was perfect (but his face) I wouldn’t have even recognised my son,” she said.

“I kissed him on the forehead and told him I love him.”

Her son was laid to rest on March 17, the day he would have turned 20.

Lachlan Seary's parents Gary and Janice leave ACT Law Courts on Tuesday. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Lachlan’s younger sister Olivia took to the stand and her brother’s death had “ripped” away a part of her soul.

“A constant of my life is gone,” she said.

Ms Seary said she would take evening drives and listen to a playlist for her brother.

She said she would sometimes consider taking her own life while driving but would then think of her surviving brother and parents and the grief it would cause them.

She told the court she had wished she could hear her brother’s voice again, and that wish was granted by a cousin who gave her a teddy bear wearing “sparky gear” which played a recording of Lachlan’s voice.

Lachlan’s Grandmother Linda Wright addressed Mr Loeschnauer.

“You chose to take drugs, you chose to drink, you chose to speed,” she said.

“Never again will I hear Lachlan say ‘I love you grandma.”

Aunt Sharon Wright recalled telling her eight-year-old son his cousin had died.

“His innocence was shattered and he howled with anger,” she said.

She said her son was now terrified that she would die as he “understands bad things can happen to good people”

Aunt Janelle Tweed said Lachlan’s death was the first time “my twin has experienced something I couldn’t comprehend.”

She said her family was “strong, but with a huge hole in our hearts.”

Crown Prosecutor Patrick Dixon read out the seventh victim impact statement written by Lachlan’s Uncle Wayne Seary.

“I will remain Lachlan’s uncle,” the statement said.

“(Loeschnauer) will remain the person who killed him.”

The scene of the crash on the Monaro Highway in Hume which claimed the life of Canberra Braves player Lachlan Seary. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

The court heard evidence from the offender and his father.

The prosecution applied to revoke the offender’s bail, which the defence did not oppose.

“I need to pay for what I’ve done,” Loeschnauer said.

His father Frank Loeschnauer told the court about his son’s reaction to the news his actions had taken a young life

“It's the first time I have seen my son fall apart” he said.

“He sobbed and sobbed, and repeated ‘what have I done’”

Mr Dixon told the court speed cameras detected Loeschnauer driving at 157 km only 300 metres away from the crash scene.

He said the offender had MDMA in his blood and the police tested two blood samples shortly after the crash both with blood alcohol concentration readings over 0.18.

Loeschnauer’s lawyer Jack Pappas told the court that after he serves his time in prison his client wants to live a life that would “honour” Seary.

Acting Justice Verity Mcwilliam will hand downLoeschnauer’s sentence on February 25.

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