Deceased
Peter Andrew Healey
Demographics
54y, male
Date of death
2022-01-16
Finding date
2022-07-07
Cause of death
blunt trauma of head
AI-generated summary
Peter Andrew Healey, aged 54, died from blunt head trauma sustained in a single motor vehicle crash on the Bass Highway near Christmas Hills, Tasmania on 16 January 2022. He was driving at minimum 140 km/h while unlicensed and significantly impaired by methylamphetamine, THC, diazepam and lorazepam. The coroner found the death resulted entirely from his excessive speed and inattention, with no system, clinical, or third-party factors involved. This case highlights the catastrophic risks of polysubstance impairment while driving, particularly combinations of stimulants, depressants and cannabis affecting judgment and motor control.
AI-generated summary — refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Drugs involved
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 Peter Andrew Healey Find, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Coroners Act 1995, that a) The identity of the deceased is Peter Andrew Healey; b) Mr Healey died as a result of injuries sustained by him as the driver in a single motor vehicle crash. The crash occurred when the vehicle driven by him left the Bass Highway near Christmas Hills. Mr Healey was not licensed to drive a motor vehicle. He had never held a motor vehicle license. Toxicological analysis samples taken from his body at autopsy showed he was driving with a combination of methylamphetamine, THC (the active constituent of the illicit drug cannabis), diazepam and lorazepam in his system. Any of those drugs alone are capable of having a significant effect on driving. Mr Healey was travelling at a minimum speed of 140 km when he lost control of his vehicle; c) The cause of Mr Healey’s death was blunt trauma of head; and d) Mr Healey died on 16 January 2022 at Christmas Hills, Tasmania.
Mr Healey’s death resulted directly from excessive speed and inattention on his part. I am satisfied that his driving was significantly impaired by prescription and illicit drugs.
The car he was driving was mechanically sound, the weather at the time of the crash was fine and the road surface in good repair.
No other person caused or contributed to the happening of the crash.
The crash which caused Mr Healey’s death was entirely his own fault.
Comments and Recommendations I express my thanks to First Class Constable Nigel Housego for his investigation and report.
The circumstances of Mr Healey’s death are not such as to require me to make any comments or recommendations pursuant to Section 28 of the Coroners Act 1995.
Dated: 7 July 2022 at Hobart in the State of Tasmania.
Simon Cooper Coroner
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