- Incident allegedly occurred on Thursday night
- Hooper has admitted to dealing with personal issues
Dramatic footage has revealed the moment high-profile TV reporter James Hooper allegedly crashed his ute into three parked cars while more than five times over the legal drink-drive limit.
Hooper was sacked from his role with Fox Sports after the incident, which occurred shortly before 7.30pm last Thursday in the inner-west Sydney suburb of Leichhardt.
Police allege Hooper recorded a result of 0.253 when he was tested for alcohol.
Now CCTV footage has shown the moment Hooper’s vehicle allegedly collided with parked cars.
The video, which appears to have been taken from a camera attached to a house near the site of the accident, shows sparks flying at the moment of impact.
Further footage taken by Channel Nine reveals damage to the parked vehicles.
James Hooper (pictured) was sacked from his role with Fox Sports when the alleged drink-driving crash came to light
Pictured: Sparks fly as Hooper’s vehicle (right) collides with parked cars in CCTV footage of the alleged incident
Vision from Channel Nine shows the damage to another vehicle after Hooper’s ute was involved in the alleged accident last Thursday night
Shortly after the police charges came to light, Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley confirmed that the chief rugby league reporter would be leaving the NRL broadcast partner effective immediately.
‘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 admitted that he was dealing with personal issues.
‘I’ve let the game of rugby league, my employers, my wife and kids down terribly,’ he told News Corp.
‘Clearly I’m not handling the tough side of the job.
‘Hopefully this is the punch between the eyes that will set me straight.’
Hooper spent many years as a reporter and columnist for The Daily Telegraph.
Police allege Hooper (pictured) was more than five times the legal drink-drive limit when the collision occurred
The 47-year-old (pictured appearing on Fox Sports) said, ‘I’ve let the game of rugby league, my employers, my wife and kids down terribly’
He then moved to Fox Sports, featuring on shows such as NRL 360 and as a sideline commentator for NRL matches.
His work spanned print, online, and broadcast, making him one of News Corp’s most prominent rugby league voices.
Hooper told News Corp that he would be seeking professional treatment following the incident.
‘About 7.30pm yesterday [Thursday 31 July 2025], police were called to Allen Street, Leichhardt, following reports of a crash,’ NSW Police said in a statement.
‘Officers attached to Leichhardt Highway Patrol attended to find a Ford utility had collided with three parked cars before coming to a stop.
‘The driver – a 47-year-old man – was located nearby and allegedly returned a positive breath test before he was taken to Newtown Police Station where he returned a breath analysis of 0.253.
‘He was charged with drive with high range PCA and not give particulars to owner of damaged property [three counts].
‘The man was issued a court attendance notice to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 15 September 2025.’
