Adelaide Crows star Josh Worrell “fell well short” of driving standards when he cut a red light and struck a pedestrian on the edge of the South Australian capital, a court has heard.
The 25-year-old defender was reported by police following a collision with a pedestrian in Port Road, Woodville on July 10.
Worrell was charged with driving without due care and failing to present to police after an accident.
On Friday, Worrell pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court to driving without due care, while the second charge of failing to report was dropped.
The court was told Worrell had entered a pedestrian crossing and struck a pedestrian, potentially while distracted.
Prosecutors said he had “fallen well short” of expected driving standards and that it was fortunate the pedestrian was not hurt more seriously.
“We accept that Mr Worrell was extremely remorseful and took all reasonable action to assist the pedestrian, conveying him to hospital.”
The court heard that he was on his way to training at the time of the incident, but insisted on taking the victim to hospital, and spent three hours with him to ensure he was okay.
His legal representative told the court the incident came as a result of “a momentary piece of bad driving” on the footballer’s part.
“He is incredibly embarrassed and remorseful,” his lawyer said.
“He is acutely aware this could have been worse and it is by bad luck that he is here at all and by good luck that the pedestrian’s situation is not much worse.
“His remorse is evident by his actions in the immediate aftermath.”
The court heard Worrell immediately stopped after the incident, taking the pedestrian home to collect belongings and escorting him to hospital.
He then waited at the hospital with the man, exchanging phone numbers to offer future support before reporting late for training.
Worrell appeared in the dock wearing a black suit, black tie and a white shirt and spoke only to confirm his guilty plea.
Before adjourning the hearing, magistrate Rodney Oates praised the manner in which Worrell responded the incident – ruling out handing him a prison sentence.
“I do not think he could have done anything further [to assist],” he said.
However, he said he wished to adjourn to consider what punishment to hand to defendant.
In a statement issued at the time, police said the 29-year-old male pedestrian “suffered injuries and was taken to hospital by the driver (Worrell)”.
While both Worrell and the pedestrian did report to police later that day, it was not within the 90 minute time frame required for reporting collisions to authorities. However, this charge was dropped.
The case will return to court at 9.30am on Tuesday, November 3.
Originally published as Adelaide Crows star Josh Worrell pleads guilty after hitting pedestrian at Adelaide crossing