Tweet
WESTERN Bulldogs vice-captain Lachie Hunter is set to be charged by police after allegedly fleeing the scene of a crash where he is believed to have hit four parked cars while more than two times the blood alcohol limit on Thursday night.
The 25-year-old's licence was suspended for 12 months, while he was also hit with a $1652 penalty notice for breaching strict social distancing directions in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Police arrived at the scene of the crash in Middle Park to find Hunter's damaged SUV which appeared to have collided with four cars around 8.45pm.
When the highway patrol unit arrived, Hunter was nowhere to be seen.
He was later located at a South Yarra address and given a preliminary breath test. A subsequent evidentiary breath test recorded a reading of 0.123 – more than two times the legal limit.
Hunter's car, with damage to the front, was towed from the scene with at least one other vehicle.
Alcohol was found on the front seat of Hunter's car.
Police were unable to provide further detail as to how Hunter got from Middle Park to South Yarra – around 3-4km away – but did confirm no one else was charged in relation to the incident.
Earlier in the night, around 7pm, Hunter posted a photo on social media with a group of friends in a 'Zoom' video teleconferencing call. He appeared to be alone in the image.
Police provided AFL.com.au with a statement in the early hours of Friday morning.
"Prahran Highway Patrol were called to Middle Park Thursday evening following reports a car had crashed into a number of parked cars," the statement read.
"The crash occurred on Wright Street where it's believed a Toyota SUV crashed into four unoccupied parked cars about 8.45pm.
"When police arrived, it was found the driver had left the scene.
"Attending police made follow up enquiries and located the 25-year-old driver at an address in South Yarra.
"The Middle Park man was given a preliminary breath test and a subsequent evidentiary breath test, where he furnished a reading of 0.123."
"The man's licence was immediately suspended for 12 months and it is expected will be charged on summons with drink driving and other traffic matters.
"Whilst committing the offences the man was found to be in breach of the directions issued by the Chief Health Officer, and he was issued a $1652 penalty notice.
"The directions by the Chief Health Officer, under the State of Emergency declared in Victoria, have been enacted to help stop the spread of Coronavirus."
Having served in the Dogs' leadership group since 2018, Hunter was elevated to vice-captain in December under new skipper Marcus Bontempelli.
In March last year Hunter signed a five-year extension to remain with the Dogs until the end of 2024.
Hunter's manager and the Western Bulldogs were contacted for comment.
The 25-year-old's licence was suspended for 12 months, while he was also hit with a $1652 penalty notice for breaching strict social distancing directions in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Police arrived at the scene of the crash in Middle Park to find Hunter's damaged SUV which appeared to have collided with four cars around 8.45pm.
When the highway patrol unit arrived, Hunter was nowhere to be seen.
He was later located at a South Yarra address and given a preliminary breath test. A subsequent evidentiary breath test recorded a reading of 0.123 – more than two times the legal limit.
Hunter's car, with damage to the front, was towed from the scene with at least one other vehicle.
Alcohol was found on the front seat of Hunter's car.
Police were unable to provide further detail as to how Hunter got from Middle Park to South Yarra – around 3-4km away – but did confirm no one else was charged in relation to the incident.
Earlier in the night, around 7pm, Hunter posted a photo on social media with a group of friends in a 'Zoom' video teleconferencing call. He appeared to be alone in the image.
Police provided AFL.com.au with a statement in the early hours of Friday morning.
"Prahran Highway Patrol were called to Middle Park Thursday evening following reports a car had crashed into a number of parked cars," the statement read.
"The crash occurred on Wright Street where it's believed a Toyota SUV crashed into four unoccupied parked cars about 8.45pm.
"When police arrived, it was found the driver had left the scene.
"Attending police made follow up enquiries and located the 25-year-old driver at an address in South Yarra.
"The Middle Park man was given a preliminary breath test and a subsequent evidentiary breath test, where he furnished a reading of 0.123."
"The man's licence was immediately suspended for 12 months and it is expected will be charged on summons with drink driving and other traffic matters.
"Whilst committing the offences the man was found to be in breach of the directions issued by the Chief Health Officer, and he was issued a $1652 penalty notice.
"The directions by the Chief Health Officer, under the State of Emergency declared in Victoria, have been enacted to help stop the spread of Coronavirus."
Having served in the Dogs' leadership group since 2018, Hunter was elevated to vice-captain in December under new skipper Marcus Bontempelli.
In March last year Hunter signed a five-year extension to remain with the Dogs until the end of 2024.
Hunter's manager and the Western Bulldogs were contacted for comment.
Comment