Coroner's Finding: Freeman, Stuart Clyde Dew

MAGISTRATES COURT of TASMANIA

CORONIAL DIVISION Record of Investigation into Death (Without Inquest) Coroners Act 1995 Coroners Rules 2006 Rule 11 I, Simon Cooper, Coroner, having investigated the death of Stuart Clyde Dew Freeman Find, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Coroners Act 1995, that a) The identity of the deceased is Stuart Clyde Dew Freeman; b) Mr Freeman died as a result of injuries sustained as a driver and sole occupant of a utility vehicle that left the road and collided with a tree. At the time of the crash, he was highly intoxicated (a blood alcohol level of at least 0.173 g per 100mL of blood was detected as a result of toxicological analysis of samples taken at autopsy). At the time of the crash, Mr Freeman was not wearing a seatbelt.

Despite efforts at resusication he died at the scene of the crash. No other person was involved in Mr Freeman’s death. Road and weather conditions did not cause or contribute to the happening of the crash. The vehicle Mr Freeman was driving had no mechanical defects which could have caused or contributed to the happening of the crash.

c) The cause of Mr Freeman’s death was blunt trauma of the chest and abdomen; and d) Mr Freeman died on 9 July 2021 at Mount Direction, Tasmania.

In making the above findings, I have had regard to the evidence gained in the comprehensive investigation into Mr Freeman’s death. The evidence includes:  Police Report of Death for the Coroner;  Affidavits establishing identity and life extinct;  Report – Dr Donald Ritchey, Forensic Pathologist;  Report – Forensic Science Service Tasmania;  Report – Department of Health – Ambulance Tasmania;

 Affidavit – Mr Barry Spencer, Transport Safety and Investigation Officer;  Police forensic, photographic, and crash investigation evidence; and  Affidavits of relevant witnesses.

Comments and Recommendations I extend my appreciation to investigating officer Senior Constable Michal Rybka for his investigation and report.

The circumstances of Mr Freeman’s death are not such as to require me to make any comments or recommendations pursuant to Section 28 of the Coroners Act 1995.

I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr Freeman.

Dated: 21 January 2022 at Hobart in the State of Tasmania.

Simon Cooper Coroner