Vision emerges of sacked NRL reporter's alleged crash
The prominent NRL reporter has been sacked by Fox Sports and subsequently stood himself down from his role with Triple M after being charged with high-range drinking offences.
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Now Channel 9 has obtained footage of the crash, which took place in Leichhardt on Thursday night and allegedly involved a number of other vehicles and Hooper's ute.
Paul Green, who lives right by the accident site, is heard on the footage and told the network what he had witnessed.
'He just tried to get out of there straight away,' Green alleged. 'Put the car in reverse to try to reverse off the car he was collected on and he couldn't get off.
'So he was not really coherent. He headed up the street, unfortunately for him he headed up the wrong way.
'We lost sight of him in the dark but then he turned around and that's when the police caught up to him at the roundabout down the bottom of the hill.'
Hooper is alleged to have collided with three parked cars and returned a positive breath test of 0.253, more than five times the legal limit.
Hooper was the chief rugby league reporter for Fox Sports, along with roles as a columnist for Fox Sports and a sideline reporter with Triple M.
Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), which owns and operates Triple M, confirmed to news.com.au Hooper has opted to cut ties with the network.
'Triple M acknowledges the decision of James Hooper to stand down from his commitments with the network,' SCA Head of Sports Content Ewan Giles said.
'We thank him for his contribution.'
A statement from NSW Police read: 'At 7.30pm on Thursday, police were called to Allen Street, Leichhardt following reports of a crash.
'Officers attached to Leichhardt Highway Patrol attended to find a utility had collided with three parked cars before coming to a stop.'
He has been charged with high-range drink-driving and three counts of damaged property and will appear in court on September 15.
The decision from Fox Sports was effective immediately, with Hooper's final appearance on NRL 360 occurring on Wednesday night this week.
Fox Sports' managing director Steve Crawley confirmed the news in a statement.
'James has been a great contributor since he joined us in 2016, but he's also battled some significant personal issues from time to time,' Crawley said.
'In speaking to him today, James also acknowledges that things need to change for him.'
Hooper was approached by The Daily Telegraph for comment, stating: 'I've let the game of rugby league, my employers, my wife and kids down terribly.
'Clearly I'm not handling the tough side of the job.
'Hopefully this is the punch between the eyes that will set me straight.'
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