Coroner's Finding: Campbell, Anthony Robert

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 Anthony Robert Campbell Find, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Coroners Act 1995, that a) The identity of the deceased is Anthony Robert Campbell; b) Mr Campbell died from injuries sustained when, whilst a pedestrian, he was struck by a motor vehicle; c) The cause of Mr Campbell’s death was multiple injuries; and d) Mr Campbell died, aged 40 years, on 6 January 2020 at the intersection of St John and Patterson Street, Launceston, Tasmania.

In making the above findings I have had regard to the evidence gained in the investigation into Mr Campbell’s death. The evidence includes:  Police Report of Death for the Coroner;  Affidavits establishing identity and life extinct;  Report – Dr Michael Burke, Forensic Pathologist;  Report – Forensic Science Service Tasmania;  Complete Prosecution File – Aaron Bonner;  Comments on Passing Sentence – Aaron Bonner;  Complete Tasmania Police Crash Investigation File;  Medical and other relevant records;  Witness affidavits and statements; and  Forensic and photographic evidence.

On 6 January 2020, Mr Campbell and his wife were struck by a police car driven by Aaron Tasman Bonner.

At the relevant time Mr Bonner was a member of Tasmania Police, at work and responding to an incident that had shortly before been reported to police. The call was not urgent.

Nonetheless Mr Bonner, who was alone in his vehicle, accelerated heavily, sped through a red light at a speed later calculated to be at least 89 km/h, crashed into another vehicle and smashed into Mr and Mrs Campbell who were standing on the footpath. Both suffered catastrophic injuries. Mr Campbell died on his way to hospital.

The circumstances of the crash were fully investigated by Tasmania Police. I have had regard to all of the material obtained in and as a result of that investigation.

Mr Bonner was subsequently charged with and pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving (and another of causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving in relation to Mrs Campbell). On 6 May 2022 he was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment.

There is little more for me to say about this tragic and wholly avoidable matter.

Comments and Recommendations The circumstances of Mr Campbell’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 Campbell.

Dated: 17 February 2023 at Hobart in the State of Tasmania.

Simon Cooper Coroner