Roosters’ Sandon Smith’s driving charge in court

A Roosters star rookie charged over a bizarre crash in Sydney’s eastern suburbs in which a male pedestrian suffered a gruesome foot injury has had his first mention in court.

Sandon Smith has been charged with a serious driving offence after a crash in Sydney’s east earlier this year. Picture: Rohan Kelly

A Roosters star rookie charged over a bizarre crash in which a male pedestrian suffered a gruesome foot injury has had his first mention in court.

The Saturday Telegraph exclusively revealed up and coming Roosters half Sandon Smith was charged with negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm on September 10 following a lengthy investigation into an incident almost six months earlier on March 13.

Police will allege Smith was behind the wheel of an Audi in Vaucluse when it was involved in a three-way crash, which caused a male pedestrian’s foot to be crushed.

“Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command arrived and found an Audi sedan, Toyota SUV and Mazda SUV had collided after the driver of the Audi, a 21-year-old man, allegedly failed to give way,” police said in a statement on Thursday.

The 38-year-old man was transported to St Vincent’s Hospital for treatment of a serious degloving injury.

Sandon Smith, pictured in 2023, has been charged over a crash that resulted in a man suffering a gruesome foot injury

His matter was listed for the first time at the Downing Centre Local Court on Friday, and swiftly adjourned for another mention on November 15, with pleas yet to be entered.

Smith is currently understood to be in Japan for an off-season holiday.

It is understood police will allege Smith failed to give way as he edged out of the driveway and was hit by another car, pushing his vehicle into the pedestrian.

On Thursday a Roosters spokesperson said the club was aware of the incident and had informed the NRL Integrity Unit.

However, it is understood the NRL was not aware of Smith’s charge until the Telegraph made inquiries on Thursday.

The Roosters celebrate a try by Sandon Smith. Smith’s negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm matter was listed for the first time at the Downing Centre Local Court on Friday.

The maximum potential penalties for the charge if Smith pleads or is found guilty are a nine-month prison term, a $2200 fine, and a licence disqualification.

He is being developed for a partnership with Sam Walker in the halves following Luke Keary’s departure, and stepped into the breach for the Roosters’ finals campaign after the club was decimated by injuries.

Walker went down with an ACL, swiftly followed by injuries for Victor Radley, Brandon Smith and Nat Butcher ahead of the Roosters’ preliminary finals clash with the Panthers.

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]