Lachie Hunter charged with Drink Driving
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Re: Lachie Hunter charged with Drink Driving
"Leaving his details with nearby residents" doesn't cut it under the Road Safety Act unfortunately.From SEN
UNDER-fire Western Bulldogs star Lachie Hunter will fight any police charge of leaving the scene of an accident in the wake of his multi-car crash.
But Hunter will not contest a drink driving charge after driving his Toyota SUV into four parked cars in Middle Park around 8.45pm Thursday night.
The Bulldogs will this morning continue their investigation into the actions of their vice-captain, with sources saying a 2-3 match ban is likely. The Hunter camp will argue any games missed takes on greater severity than normal given the season has been shortened to 17 games.
Hunter could also be stripped of the vice-captaincy and fined by the Dogs.
The penalty will need to be ticked off the AFL, whose integrity unit are making their own enquiries and have the wide-ranging ability to charge players for bringing the game into disrepute.
Hunter last week returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.123 when police found him at the South Yarra home of teammate Billy Gowers at an unknown time after the crash and in a period where he had continued drinking.
Hunter’s exact reading at the time of the crash is impossible to determine, but sen.com.au understands the Bulldogs vice-captain will throw himself at the mercy of the law and surrender his licence for 12 months.
However, it’s understood Hunter will argue he is not guilty of leaving the scene of an accident given he left his details with nearby residents and no one was hurt.
Under Victorian law, if you are in a vehicle accident you must stop immediately and exchange names and address with other motorists or property owners.
Hunter, who lives in Middle Park, was on his way to Gowers’ house after an argument with his fiancé when he crashed into four parked cars.
Hunter is facing a repair bill of $150,000 for the damage to those cars. He was also fined $1652 for breaching stay-at-home rules and is also facing a fine for careless driving.
At least one of the cars Hunter damaged is owned by the parents of young teammate Bailey Smith’s girlfriend, with Smith driving Hunter to Gowers’ place.
Smith, 19, was fined $1652 by police for breaking public health orders as a result, while Gowers was let off with a warning.
The law is clear: If you cannot identify or contact the OWNER of the damaged property, the collision MUST be reported to Police.
If he found the owner of every damaged car at the time, he's fine. If not, he's in trouble.Comment
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Re: Lachie Hunter charged with Drink Driving
On top of the pay cut all players will experience are there other considerations to what I have listed below?
Will lose his license for 12 months
Will need to cover 50K worth of damages to the cars
$1,652 fine for breaching the isolation rules. Perhaps he will pay for Smith as well
The court will likely fine him some money and he may need to do some community work
Then there are the club sanctions
3 weeks suspension
Loss of the vice captaincy and leadership role
I think the club can fine him as well
Have I missed much?Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Re: Lachie Hunter charged with Drink Driving
Well, 2 of them were at his teammates girlfriends house so he was halfway there."Leaving his details with nearby residents" doesn't cut it under the Road Safety Act unfortunately.
The law is clear: If you cannot identify or contact the OWNER of the damaged property, the collision MUST be reported to Police.
If he found the owner of every damaged car at the time, he's fine. If not, he's in trouble.Park that car
Drop that phone
Sleep on the floor
Dream about meComment
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Re: Lachie Hunter charged with Drink Driving
The guy with the pest van was clearly on the scene as well and it's more than likely the owner of the fourth vehicle was home (given the current restrictions) and probably checked out the front of the house when they heard an enormous bang.
From what's been reported (and we probably don't know everything), Hunter has likely done what he needed to and hasn't illegally left the scene of an accident.Comment
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Re: Lachie Hunter charged with Drink Driving
That might be the reason why he's confident he will challenge the leaving the accident chargeThe guy with the pest van was clearly on the scene as well and it's more than likely the owner of the fourth vehicle was home (given the current restrictions) and probably checked out the front of the house when they heard an enormous bang.
From what's been reported (and we probably don't know everything), Hunter has likely done what he needed to and hasn't illegally left the scene of an accident.
Good callWestern Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Re: Lachie Hunter charged with Drink Driving
I was one of those, and haven't changed my view. 2-3 weeks seems to be what is being suggested, that's hugely insufficient.[B][COLOR="#0000CD"]Our club was born in blood and boots, not in AFL focus groups.[/COLOR][/B]Comment
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Re: Lachie Hunter charged with Drink Driving
Yeah thats how I see it as well from all the information we have so far.The guy with the pest van was clearly on the scene as well and it's more than likely the owner of the fourth vehicle was home (given the current restrictions) and probably checked out the front of the house when they heard an enormous bang.
From what's been reported (and we probably don't know everything), Hunter has likely done what he needed to and hasn't illegally left the scene of an accident.
Doesn't diminish Hunter being a massive dickhead on the day but dont think he did much wrong in leaving.Comment
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Re: Lachie Hunter charged with Drink Driving
Well other than leaving his car to go for a drink, that was far from ideal
He will pay a hefty price for his stupid act but calls for him to be sacked don't appear to be in line with so many othersWestern Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Re: Lachie Hunter charged with Drink Driving
One thing is for sure - he will endure a far heftier set of punishments than you or I would if in the same situation.
I can't think of many occupations, where on top of the significant punishments handed out via the law/legal system, you would be fined by your employer, stood down from doing your job (meaning loss of match payments), and fined by that employer.Comment
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Re: Lachie Hunter charged with Drink Driving
Strange isn't it, when the incident has nothing to do with football. As for the vice captaincy, that is different, as he is in the leadership team.One thing is for sure - he will endure a far heftier set of punishments than you or I would if in the same situation.
I can't think of many occupations, where on top of the significant punishments handed out via the law/legal system, you would be fined by your employer, stood down from doing your job (meaning loss of match payments), and fined by that employer.FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.Comment
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Re: Lachie Hunter charged with Drink Driving
Good point Oz. It's so high profile it comes with so many repercussions that the rest of us don't have to put up with.One thing is for sure - he will endure a far heftier set of punishments than you or I would if in the same situation.
I can't think of many occupations, where on top of the significant punishments handed out via the law/legal system, you would be fined by your employer, stood down from doing your job (meaning loss of match payments), and fined by that employer.
It must be a weird way to live."It's over. It's all over."Comment
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Re: Lachie Hunter charged with Drink Driving
As someone with an occupation that is subject to the same possible double punishment with significantly less pay I can tell you that I do not feel sorry for them in the slightest.One thing is for sure - he will endure a far heftier set of punishments than you or I would if in the same situation.
I can't think of many occupations, where on top of the significant punishments handed out via the law/legal system, you would be fined by your employer, stood down from doing your job (meaning loss of match payments), and fined by that employer.Comment
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