Broncos star drug tested after crash in Brisbane's west
The NRL integrity unit and Brisbane Broncos are awaiting the results of a drug test after Ezra Mam was involved in a head-on crash in Brisbane’s west on Friday afternoon.
Mam was taken to hospital after a Ford Ranger he was travelling in struck a Toyota Camry being used as an Uber carrying three people, including a young girl, just after 5pm.
Police said no one was seriously injured in the crash. Credit: Nine News
Nine News reported early on Saturday that Mam had allegedly returned a positive result to a drug test, but police were yet to officially confirm that information.
Nobody was injured in the accident and Mam did not have any alcohol in his system.
“Initial roadside drug testing was conducted on the driver of the utility, a 21-year-old Ipswich man, however police are awaiting further results,” police said in a statement.
The Broncos informed the NRL late on Friday. Brisbane chief executive Dave Donaghy was made aware of the Mam incident before he returned home from a holiday in Japan.
Ezra Mam was drug-tested and taken to hospital after a head-on crash in Bardon on Friday.Credit: Getty Images
Incoming coach Michael Maguire, who will officially start in the top job on Wednesday, was also being updated by the club. The Broncos will only comment if police charges are laid against Mam.
The accident caps a roller-coaster year for the Brisbane five-eighth, who was called a “monkey” by Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu during the opening round of the season in Las Vegas.
The 21-year-old then made headlines this month when he and Broncos teammate Reece Walsh were holidaying in Bali and a person complained to the NRL about a damaged phone. It was reported at the time the phone was later replaced.
Canterbury’s Josh Addo-Carr and Cronulla’s Braydon Trindall both failed road-side drug tests this season.
The NRL hit Addo-Carr with a fine and a suspension, understood to be four weeks.
Should police confirm a positive for Mam, he can expect a much heftier suspension – potentially as much as eight to 12 weeks – because other people were involved in the head-on accident.
Mam was cleared of any injuries while in hospital.
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Queensland Premier Steven Miles said professional athletes were role models for many in the community.
“We rightly hold them to a higher standard,” he said. “We rightly expect them not to break the law and not to do dangerous things like drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“So if those reports are proven to be true, I’d be very concerned.”
Police said no one was seriously injured in the crash, and no charges had been laid.
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