AFL star Lachie Hunter faces court over drunken car crash in Middle Park
Western Bulldogs star Lachie Hunter was “humiliated” after crashing his car following an argument with his girlfriend, the court has heard.
Police & Courts
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Western Bulldogs midfielder Lachie Hunter has been left “humiliated” after having a fight with his girlfriend and drunkenly crashing his Toyota SUV into four parked cars in Middle Park, a court has heard.
The premiership star told police following the smash he had never been in a collision before and panicked, saying “I just shit myself”, before leaving the scene of the accident.
Hunter on Wednesday pleaded guilty to charges of drink driving, careless driving and failing to give his name and address after the April 16 collision on Wright St outside the house of teammate Bailey Smith’s girlfriend.
Hunter continued to down cans of UDLs at another teammates’ house following the incident, the court heard.
The 25-year-old escaped conviction and was fined $1,000 in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard Hunter had told the owner of two of the cars he smashed into “I’m so sorry, I’ve just had an argument with my girlfriend”, before Smith drove him to the South Yarra home of Bulldog teammate Billy Gowers.
The former vice-captain then continued to drink at Gowers’ house and initially refused a breath test when police caught up with him, Senior Constable Maierhofer said.
Hunter eventually provided a blood alcohol reading of 0.123 and his licence was immediately suspended for 12 months.
When questioned by police, Hunter said “does it matter that I got here and I was drinking?” and asked if he had to make a statement.
“I don’t know what to say, I’ve never been in a collision before, I shit myself,” Hunter said on the night.
Police charged the Bulldogs’ Best & Fairest player in June following an investigation by the football club.
Lawyer Rob Stary, for Hunter, said his client had just had a fight with his girlfriend when he crashed his car about 400m from his home and immediately provided his details to some of the owners of the damaged vehicles – but not all.
He was fined $5,000 by the Western Bulldogs, suspended for four matches and ordered to undergo counselling and alcohol education.
Hunter also voluntarily relinquished his position as vice-captain which caused him to feel “humiliation, embarrassment and shame”.
“To exercise such poor judgment in the way he did, he’s paid a heavy price,” Mr Stary said.
Director of Western Bulldogs Chris Grant provided a character reference for Hunter in court saying he had “dedicated himself” to improving himself on and off the football field since the incident.
Magistrate Michelle Hodgson accepted Hunter left the scene of the accident “out of confusion” rather than in an attempt to evade responsibility. “Significantly, you have compounded your problems on this particular evening by drinking subsequent to the events so it makes it very difficult to determine just what the level of drink driving was,” Ms Hodgson said.
Ms Hodgson said Hunter’s prospects of rehabilitation were excellent.
Hunter, who appeared via video link, did not speak throughout the hearing.
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