Adelaide Crows defender Josh Worrell has been fined $2,400 after pleading guilty to an aggravated charge of driving without due care. The incident occurred on July 10 in suburban Woodville, when Worrell struck a pedestrian who had started crossing the road on a green signal.
Adelaide magistrate Rodney Oates noted that CCTV footage of the collision was confronting. The pedestrian's first recollection was waking up on the roadway. The victim sustained a two-centimeter cut to his head, requiring four staples, a scraped knee, and general soreness.
Worrell, who has been a consistent performer for the Crows, including finishing seventh in the club's best-and-fairest award in 2026, immediately apologized to the man and drove him to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The magistrate observed that the victim found Worrell to be nervous, scared, and extremely remorseful. Worrell insisted on remaining with the pedestrian until further support arrived, an action the magistrate described as 'exemplary'.
'My observation is the defendant exhibited excellent, excellent character and qualities in the circumstances following the accident, which is to his credit,' Mr Oates stated, acknowledging submissions that Worrell's driving fell short of required standards and that he appeared to be speeding.
While the maximum penalty for the offense is 12 months imprisonment and a $10,000 fine, Worrell received a conviction but no license suspension. The magistrate noted that a driving ban is not mandatory when the aggravating factor, causing harm, falls short of serious harm.
In a statement, the 25-year-old Worrell accepted full responsibility. "Most importantly, I'm extremely sorry for the impact this incident had on the person involved," he said. "I remain very grateful that the consequences weren't more serious. It's something I have reflected on a lot."
Worrell has played 79 games for the Crows since his debut in 2021. The club was contacted for comment.