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.
