Tayler Christian Hazell was charged after allegedly hitting two St Edmund’s College students. Photo: Victoria Police.
The man accused of being behind the wheel of the car that hit two schoolchildren outside St Edmund’s College likely intends to plead guilty to his charges.
Tayler Christian Hazell, then aged 31, allegedly drove a stolen car into another car before hitting two teenage boys as they walked along Canberra Avenue near the college on 28 March.
He allegedly drove off before coming to a stop near the Manuka shops where he was caught by tradespeople while trying to flee the scene on foot.
The boys, aged 14 and 15 and both students at the college, were taken to Canberra Hospital where they underwent surgery before their conditions stabilised.
Hazell, who is from Ballarat in Victoria, was remanded in custody after being arrested, before being handed upgraded charges.
He did not face the ACT Magistrates Court in person when his case was mentioned on Thursday (24 July).
But his lawyer, Sam Lynch from the Aboriginal Legal Service, said his client would indicate guilty pleas to two counts of culpable driving causing grievous bodily harm.
Hazell did not formally enter the pleas himself.
These two charges allege that he crashed the car into the boys and caused their injuries.
Mr Lynch said his client would also indicate guilty pleas to other charges before the prosecutor asked to withdraw further charges.
Magistrate Alexandra Burt then adjourned to 20 August as Mr Lynch requested an adjournment to settle the facts of the matter.
Hazell remains in custody.
Thanks chewy. It's how much positivity and intellect that you bring to discussions that's the… View