Gary Mara Explained

Gary Mara
Fullname:Gary Robert Mara
Birth Date:9 August 1962
Death Place:Los Angeles, California, United States
Retired:1985
Club1:Balmain Tigers
Year1start:1982
Appearances1:1
Tries1:0
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:0
Club2:Parramatta Eels
Year2start:1984
Appearances2:2
Tries2:0
Goals2:3
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:6
Source:Rugby League Project

Gary Robert Mara (9 August 1962 – 21 August 2012) was an Australian professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s. The son of Bob Mara, he played for Balmain Tigers in the 1982 NSWRL season, and for Parramatta Eels in the 1984 NSWRL season.[1] After leaving rugby league, he worked at his family's pub, the Unity Hall Hotel in Balmain.[2]

Mara died while holidaying with his family in Los Angeles, when he and his daughter were struck by a speeding drunk driver as they crossed a road.[2] The driver, model Cara Cameron, was charged with murder and vehicular manslaughter.[3] In a plea deal Cameron pleaded 'no contest' to "vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated".[4] She will serve four years' jail, and pay 100,000 to the Mara family.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Holidaying Aussie sacrificed his life for daughter. 8 September 2012. The Sydney Morning Herald. 25 August 2012.
  2. News: Former rugby league hardman Gary Mara has died after being struck by a 'drunk driver'. Frost, Carleen. The Daily Telegraph. 24 August 2012. 8 September 2012.
  3. News: US model denies murdering former Tigers star Gary Mara. 6 June 2013. smh.com.au. 6 June 2013.
  4. News: US model Cara Cameron jailed for ex-league player Gary Mara's death. Smh.com.au. 18 January 2014. 18 January 2014.