Charges against driver accused of hitting schoolboys set to be upgraded

Charges against a man accused of hitting two St Edmund's College students and seriously injuring them are set to be upgraded to culpable driving. SALE ON NOW! Tap into unlimited access Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue Tayler Christian Hazell, 31, appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court via audio-visual link on Thursday. Hazell's distinctive tattoo of the word "family" inked on one side of his face was visible.

Hazell has so far been charged with two counts of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm in relation to the two teenage boys . However, on Thursday, the court heard these would be upgraded to culpable driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, significantly increasing the maximum penalty. He has also been accused of numerous driving offences, including dangerous driving, driving unlicensed, and not giving particulars to an injured person involved in a crash.



Hazell, from Warrenheip in Victoria, is yet to enter pleas in relation to the March 28 allegations. Defence lawyer Sam Lynch asked the court for an adjournment to allow him to "finalise advice" with Hazell regarding pleas. The 31-year-old did plead guilty to aggravated robbery dating back to 2017, when he stole about $1800 from an ACT supermarket while armed with a large kitchen knife.

During his first court appearance, after being arrested for the alleged police pursuit and hitting the students, he said: "I haven't slept in four f---ing days." Police allege Hazell stole a green Holden Commodore station wagon on the morning of March 28 from a Sutton childcare centre with an eight-year-old girl still inside it. The 31-year-old is said to have released that child shortly after before driving into the ACT and hitting the two boys as they were crossing the road to get to class at St Edmund's College in Griffith.

He then allegedly sped for more than a kilometre, crashed the stolen car in Manuka, and tried to flee the scene. Tayler Hazell, inset, is accused of hitting two teens while driving a green Holden. Pictures supplied, Keegan Carroll Hazell was taken into custody following the incident when tradies working on a nearby hotel construction held him down for several minutes until police officers arrived.

He was subject to interstate parole and bail conditions at the time. The two teenagers, aged 14 and 15, were treated in the intensive care unit and then the wards of the Canberra Hospital. Both boys, Aiden Stuart and Aaron Way, are recovering from their injuries and have thanked the community for supporting them.

Hazell is set to face court again next month. Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Hannah Neale Reporter Hannah is a reporter with The Canberra Times. She is currently covering ACT courts.

Hannah started as a journalist with The Southern Highland News and The Goulburn Post before moving to the ACT. Contact: hannah.neale@canberratimes.

com.au Hannah is a reporter with The Canberra Times. She is currently covering ACT courts.

Hannah started as a journalist with The Southern Highland News and The Goulburn Post before moving to the ACT. Contact: hannah.neale@canberratimes.

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