Sydney Roosters halfback Sandon Smith is expected to face scrutiny from the NRL after being summoned to court over a negligent driving charge.
Smith’s case is scheduled for a mention at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Friday, related to a charge of negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm stemming from an incident in March. The charge carries a maximum penalty of nine months in prison or a $2,200 fine.
Police allege that Smith was involved in a three-car collision after failing to yield while exiting a driveway in Vaucluse, resulting in a crash with another vehicle and injuring a pedestrian.
According to a police statement, emergency services responded to the crash around 7:30 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Officers from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command arrived to find an Audi sedan, Toyota SUV, and Mazda SUV involved in the collision. It is alleged that the Audi’s driver, a 21-year-old man, failed to give way. A 38-year-old man sustained serious foot injuries and was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for treatment.
Smith was issued a court attendance notice and charged with negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm.
The NRL may also investigate the timing of the case, as Smith was charged on September 10, just days before the Roosters’ qualifying final against Penrith. However, the NRL’s integrity unit was only informed on Thursday, the day before Smith’s court appearance.
The Roosters are aware of the situation but have not confirmed when they were notified. The case does not meet the criteria for the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy.
Smith is expected to play a key role for the Roosters next season, especially after veteran playmaker Luke Keary’s retirement and Sam Walker’s ACL injury, which has made Smith a leading candidate to control the team’s attack.