24 June 2021

Driver charged over crash that killed ice hockey star Lachlan Seary

| Albert McKnight
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CBR Brave rising star Lachlan Seary

Rising star of CBR Brave Lachlan Seary died in a car crash earlier this year. Photo: CBR Brave Facebook.

The driver accused of being responsible for the crash that killed rising CBR Brave ice hockey star Lachlan Seary has had his case mentioned in court for the first time.

ACT Policing alleges Peter James Loeschnauer, 28, was in a car seen reaching speeds of at least 160 km/h on the Monaro Highway moments before the crash at about 1:00 am on 8 March 2021.

They allege he was driving a Honda Civic that collided with the rear of a Toyota Corolla driven by 19-year-old Mr Seary near Hume.

Police allege that after being hit from behind, the Corolla spun into the centre median, rolled and hit a tree.

Loeschnauer was not injured in the crash. He was allegedly almost four times over the legal driving limit with a blood alcohol level of 0.186 and had MDMA in his system.

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He did not appear in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday (24 June) when his case was heard for the first time as he had been issued his charges via summons.

Loeschnauer was charged with manslaughter, dangerous driving, as well as drink and drug driving.

His lawyer, Tom Taylor from McKenna Taylor, described the charges as serious and sought an adjournment, saying representations would be made to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A heavily damaged vehicle is removed from the accident scene

A heavily damaged vehicle is removed from the Monaro Highway accident scene at Hume in March 2021. Photo: Region Media.

Magistrate Beth Campbell adjourned the case to 5 August.

Earlier this year, ACT Policing’s road policing Detective Inspector Donna Hoffmeier described the crash as “a needless and senseless loss of life”.

“In my experience, this was one of the worst incidents I’ve seen in my career,” she said.

Former Brave CEO Dan Amodio said at the time of the accident, the team and wider Brave family had heavy hearts for their teammate and his family.

“To lose Lachy at such a young age and in horrific circumstances is a tragedy beyond words,” Mr Amodio said.

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