Coroner's Finding: Stokie, Stephen Wayne

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 Stephen Wayne Stokie Find, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Coroners Act 1995, that a) The identity of the deceased is Stephen Wayne Stokie; b) Mr Stokie died as a result of injuries sustained as rider of a mechanically deficient Harley-Davidson motorcycle in a motorcycle crash which occurred on the West Tamar Highway, near Exeter. The crash occurred as Mr Stokie, who was following a Fiat motor vehicle, attempted to overtake that vehicle, as it slowed and indicated to turn right. I am satisfied that the crash occurred as a result of inattention on the part of Mr Stokie. No other person caused or contributed to the happening of the crash. Road and weather conditions were not contributing factors. I am also satisfied that speed, alcohol, and drugs played no role in the happening of the crash.

c) The cause of Mr Stokie’s cause of death was traumatic closed head injuries; and d) Mr Stokie died on 1 April 2021, en route to the Launceston General Hospital, Launceston in Tasmania.

In making the above findings I have had regard to the evidence gained in the investigation into Mr Stokie’s death. The evidence includes:  Police Report of Death for the Coroner;  Affidavits establishing identity and life extinct;  An opinion of the pathologist who conducted the autopsy;  The results of toxicological analysis of samples taken at autopsy;

 Affidavit of Mrs Wendy Stokie, sworn 1 July 2021;  Affidavit of Ms Donna Terry, (an eye witness to the crash) sworn 6 April 2021;  Tasmania Police Interview of Stephane Mukinayi (driver of Fiat) conducted on 21 April 2021;  Affidavit of Transport Safety and Investigation Officer, Paul Maclaine, sworn 20 April 2021;  Affidavit of Senior Constable Michael Rybka, Crash Investigation Services, Tasmania Police, sworn 25 July 2021;  Affidavits of attending police officers;  Results of blood test conducted after the crash on Stephane Mukinayi;  Records – Ambulance Tasmania;  Records – Telstra;  Medical Records – Tasmania Health Service; and  Forensic and photographic evidence.

Comments and Recommendations The circumstances of Mr Stokie’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 Stokie Dated 14 March 2022 at Hobart in the State of Tasmania.

Simon Cooper Coroner