Roosters’ Sandon Smith charged with negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm

[Mr Whippet]

Schmuck!

It’s all part of the operation to get Hunt to the club.

The wheels are in motion….

Might as well, already signed an old has been for the halves, doubled sided laughs all round.

[Big Dog]

It was not a negligent driving charge causing grievous bodily harm where he was speeding / evading police etc which is the top end of the scale for such an offence

The other articles omit the following important point

The report states that police will allege 21-year-old Smith was edging out of his driveway, where his view was obstructed by a parked truck, when another car hit him, and pushed him into a male pedestrian.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...ac58e874dc023a

Any ordinary person, if convicted would be at the bottom end of the scale. Being an NRL player, and a Rooster at that, expect the worst case scenario.

[On the Nose]

Could have been accidental, unlucky or momentary error of judgement while driving. Only charged at this time which is procedural. Give him a break.

[Rooster36]

It was not a negligent driving charge causing grievous bodily harm where he was speeding / evading police etc which is the top end of the scale for such an offence

The other articles omit the following important point

The report states that police will allege 21-year-old Smith was edging out of his driveway, where his view was obstructed by a parked truck, when another car hit him, and pushed him into a male pedestrian.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...ac58e874dc023a

Wow feel sorry for the pedestrian obviously but also sandon obviously not being a dickead or anything… could happen to any of us

[bondi.boy]

Wow feel sorry for the pedestrian obviously but also sandon obviously not being a dickead or anything… could happen to any of us

Indeed.

[BondiBob]

SOS Ben Hunt

No way we need someone younger Hunt only ever plays well in a maroon jersey

[rented tracksuit]

King is that you??

Pretty obvious it isn’t. There was no mention of any American sports.

[dice]

Wow feel sorry for the pedestrian obviously but also sandon obviously not being a dickead or anything… could happen to any of us

Unlike the NRL judiciary, the courts are pretty good at grading. I would be surprised if Sandon copped anything more than a fine.

I hope someone had a dashcam because it is starting to sound like the other driver wasn't paying attention. It could have easily been a child walking out in front of that car with a worse result.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Schmuck!

It’s all part of the operation to get Hunt to the club.

The wheels are in motion….

Yes, and the wheels being in motion is where the trouble started..

Hope Sandon and especially the person impacted are ok.

Nothing will come of this in a legal sense I expect.

[Eggspert]

Almost happened to me the other day.

Was leaving a driveway when a big arse truck was parked 15m away blocking the view of on coming traffic which resulted in me edging slightly forward for a more cautious view & was almost then hit.

Terrible bad luck for the pedestrian but the key word is "edging out" which shows he took care.

Sounds like the other driver needed to be more cautious also.

What's he supposed to do? Wait till the truck leaves?

[bondi.boy]

Yes, and the wheels being in motion is where the trouble started..

Hope Sandon and especially the person impacted are ok.

Nothing will come of this in a legal sense I expect.

If it were me, no way I'd be pleading guilty under any circumstances.
No plea deal either.

If you're reversing or driving forwards out of your driveway, and your vision is blocked by a parked truck, how in any way can you be expected to go on your journey without edging a good part of your car onto the roadway before you can see past the truck?
Same as if you're parked at a mall, reversed into the car space or driven in forward, you come back to your vehicle and on both sides of you are parked "dual cab utes"...you can't see a thing...you have to edge out of the space a fair way before you can see the "road".

[ConGa]

As bad as what he allegedly did is, it is unlikely the NRL could stand him down. Having said that, it is a roosters player we are talking about and we all know how the NRL like to make examples of them.

Especially off season offence (i know incident is back early in year) for any Roosters player.

[ism22]

If it were me, no way I'd be pleading guilty under any circumstances.
No plea deal either.

If you're reversing or driving forwards out of your driveway, and your vision is blocked by a parked truck, how in any way can you be expected to go on your journey without edging a good part of your car onto the roadway before you can see past the truck?
Same as if you're parked at a mall, reversed into the car space or driven in forward, you come back to your vehicle and on both sides of you are parked "dual cab utes"...you can't see a thing...you have to edge out of the space a fair way before you can see the "road".

Agreed mate.

Gonna be careful what I say as I note that my previous comment was deleted (guessing the admins don't want me speculating about the facts/law...etc - makes sense).

But yeah... the reporting suggests it is possible that a car that came screaming down a residential street slammed into him and pushed his car into the pedestrian, who suffered a 'foot' injury.

I suspect this matter may not be a black and white 'your crap driving resulted in this guy's foot being injured... say sorry, pay the $2500 fine and we'll record a conviction'.

He'll be getting his legal advice and we'll see how it's all unpacked though I suppose.

[roosterproud]

7 months ago. geez it must be a slow start to the off season

[bondi.boy]

Agreed mate.

Gonna be careful what I say as I note that my previous comment was deleted (guessing the admins don't want me speculating about the facts/law...etc - makes sense).

But yeah... the reporting suggests it is possible that a car that came screaming down a residential street slammed into him and pushed his car into the pedestrian, who suffered a 'foot' injury.

I suspect this matter may not be a black and white 'your crap driving resulted in this guy's foot being injured... say sorry, pay the $2500 fine and we'll record a conviction'.

He'll be getting his legal advice and we'll see how it's all unpacked though I suppose.

Now today the D Tele is reporting there were three cars involved, an Audi sedan, Toyota Suv, and Mazda Suv collided.
DT reports that the maximum potential penalties for the charge if Smith pleads guilty or is found guilty are, a 9 month prison term, a $2,200 fine, and a licence disqualification.
No mention of the truck blocking his view.

IMO he needs the best lawyers he can afford, including SCs, the 'old' QCs.
There's a prison sentence on the table.
If he can't afford the best legal representation maybe the Club could lend him some money.