Roosters NRL star Sandon Smith pleads guilty to shocking driving offence that resulted in a man getting a body part amputated

Rising Sydney Roosters playmaker Sandon Smith has pleaded guilty to his role in a car accident in which a pedestrian suffered a serious foot injury, resulting in the man’s little toe having to be amputated, according to court documents.

The 21-year-old halfback will face Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court in December when he will be sentenced after pleading guilty to a serious driving offence stemming from the March 31 incident.

Smith did not have to be present in court on Friday as his solicitor David Newham entered a guilty plea on his client’s behalf to one count of negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm.

According to a set of police facts tendered to the court, Smith was attempting to inch his way out of a driveway on Old South Head Road at Vaucluse on the morning of March 13.

At the time, his view to the right was obstructed by parked cars and he ‘continually edged’ his vehicle to ‘gain a clear view of the oncoming traffic’.

At the same time, a Toyota Kluger was driving along Old South Head Road when the female driver suddenly noticed Smith’s vehicle ‘appear in front of two parked vehicles and merge into her lane’, according to the court documents.

Smith, 21, (pictured) was breath-tested after the incident on Old South Head Road in Sydney’s east on March 13 this year 

The female driver attempted to brake; however, she collided with the front of Smith’s car.

At the same time, a 38-year-old man was on the outside of his parked car and was attempting to get his son out of the rear door.

The man’s vehicle was bumped forward, according to the police facts, pushing the wheel onto his right foot and leaving it wedged between the tyre and the kerb.

Smith and the other driver both returned negative results when they were given roadside breath tests.

As a result of his injuries, the man underwent ‘many surgeries’ and his little toe had to be amputated, according to the police facts.

He also suffered further fractures in his fibular and right foot.

According to court documents, the man continues to see a psychiatrist, physiotherapist and pain specialist for his injuries and may need further surgeries.

Police charged Smith with negligent driving, saying the man’s injuries amounted to grievous bodily harm.

On September 10, Smith was charged and given a future court attendance notice.

He will be sentenced on December 13.

Smith made his Roosters debut in 2023 and was a feature of their NRL side this year, including their finals run.

He is expected to start at halfback next year following Luke Keary’s move to the Super League and Sam Walker’s ACL injury.