New charges have been laid against Chinese heiress LanLan Yang, who allegedly caused a high-speed collision in Rose Bay that left chauffeur George Plassaras, the driver of radio host Kyle Sandilands, seriously injured.
Police allege the 23-year-old was intoxicated and crossed onto the wrong side of New South Head Road in her $600,000 duck egg blue Rolls-Royce, crashing into Mr Plassaras’ Mercedes van.
He was trapped in the wreckage for some time before being rescued and rushed to intensive care, later undergoing surgery for severe hip injuries.
Yang did not appear in John Maddison Tower Court on Friday, where her barrister John Korn confirmed that police had withdrawn a charge of causing bodily harm by misconduct with a motor vehicle and instead filed a new charge of negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm.
She still faces three other offences: Refusing or failing to submit to a breath analysis, dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, and failing to provide particulars to police.
Mr Korn requested a three-week adjournment to review the revised charges, which the court granted. Yang is expected to enter a plea on 17 October.
The case has attracted intense public interest, with the courtroom again filled to capacity. Some spectators were cautioned for using mobile phones as sheriffs worked to maintain order.
Yang’s high-profile background has sparked widespread discussion across social media and within the Chinese Australian diaspora, with many speculating about her personal circumstances.
Yang remains on bail ahead of her next appearance.
Source: The Daily Telegraph