Mason Hayward: Blakehurst crash, police officer charged with drink driving
A young cop has denied he was drink driving at more than twice the legal limit in a BMW before an alleged collision on a Sydney bridge which left two people in hospital and two others injured.
St George Shire Standard
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A young Sydney cop has denied he was drink driving at more than twice the legal limit in a luxury vehicle before a serious six-car crash which left a toddler and two adults in hospital.
Central Metropolitan Region constable Mason Hayward, 21, was charged with mid-range drink driving after the multi-vehicle smash on Tom Uglys Bridge in Blakehurst on August 16.
Hayward’s BMW sedan allegedly collided with a Mitsubishi Outlander as they travelled south, before hitting four other vehicles – a Nissan, a Volkswagen van, a Suzuki SX4 and a Skoda station wagon in the northbound lanes.
An 18-month girl in the Nissan, along with the 38-year-old male Nissan driver and a 32-year-old female passenger were treated at St George Hospital for minor injuries.
Police will allege Hayward’s subsequent breath analysis returned a reading of 0.126 – more than twice the legal limit of 0.05.
Two weeks later, Hayward was hit with further charges including dangerous driving, failing to stop and give particulars after a crash and failing to stop and assist after an impact causing injury.
An agent appeared for Hayward’s solicitor Sam Macedone at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday and entered pleas of not guilty to all charges on Hayward’s behalf.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has taken carriage of the case against Hayward, which returns to court in November.
Hayward’s licence has been suspended and a NSW Police spokeswoman confirmed he is now on restricted duties while the matter is before the court.