Coroner's Finding: Tucker, Harrison

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 Harrison Jared Tucker Find, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Coroners Act 1995, that a) The identity of the deceased is Harrison Jared Tucker; b) Mr Tucker died from injuries sustained as the rider of a motorcycle involved in a collision with another vehicle; c) The cause of Mr Tucker’s death was multiple head, chest, trunk and limb injuries; and d) Mr Tucker died on 14 April 2022 at Seaport Boulevard, Launceston, Tasmania.

In making the above findings, I have had regard to the evidence gained in the investigation into Mr Tucker’s death.

The evidence includes:

• Police Report of Death for the Coroner;

• Affidavits establishing identity;

• Report – Dr Andrew Reid, Forensic Pathologist;

• Forensic Science Service Tasmania;

• Affidavit – Peter McBean, sworn 17 April 2022;

• Affidavit – Leona McBean, sworn 17 April 2022;

• Affidavit – Michael Waldock, sworn 26 April 2022;

• Affidavit – Anne Waldock, sworn 26 April 2022;

• Affidavit – Tammy Lynam, sworn 10 May 2022;

• Affidavit – Jake Reid, sworn 21 September 2022 (and – cam footage);

• Audio Interview – Lucas Crawford, 27 April 2022;

• Audio Interview – Brad Wittholz, 27 April 2022;

• Audio Interview – Thomas Scarfe, 3 May 2022;

• Audio Interview – Constable Braden Green, 15 April 2022;

• Affidavit - Constable Braden Green, sworn to October 2022;

• Audio Interview – Trainee Constable Jackson Blair, 15 April 2022;

• Affidavit – Constable Jackson Blair, sworn 2 September 2022;

• Affidavit – Acting Sergeant Natalie Siggins, sworn 23 May 2022;

• Affidavit – Inspector Craig Fox, sworn 5 May 2022;

• Affidavit – Senior Constable Thomas Moir, sworn 28 April 2022;

• Affidavit – Constable Danielle Curley, sworn 23 May 2022;

• Affidavit – Talitha McKenzie, Police Officer (rank not stated), sworn 28 April 2022;

• Affidavit – Oliver Wilkinson, Police Officer (rank not stated), sworn 8 May 2022;

• Affidavit – Constable Dominic Watson, sworn 4 May 2022;

• Affidavit – Sergeant Matthew Lovell, sworn 23 May 2022;

• Affidavit – Constable Jared Crates, sworn 28 April 2022;

• Affidavit – Constable Luke Murfitt-Cowen, sworn 26 April 2022;

• Affidavit – Xavier Bannister, Police Officer (rank not stated), sworn 30 April 2022;

• Affidavit – Constable Jared Ison, sworn 8 May 2022;

• Affidavit – Detective Inspector George Cretu, Professional Standards, Tasmania Police, sworn 7 September 2022;

• Affidavit – Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Foster, Professional Standards, Tasmania Police, sworn 7 September 2022;

• Affidavit – Senior Constable Marie Fish, Northern Forensic Services, Tasmania Police, sworn 10 May 2022 (and scene photographs);

• Affidavit – First Class Constable Dean Wotherspoon, sworn 9 May 2022 (and drone footage and photographs);

• Affidavit – Dane Salter, sworn 12 May 2022 (and CCTV footage);

• Affidavit – Jared Tucker, sworn 22 June 2022;

• Forensic Science Service Tasmania – Report of Analysis of Blood Sample – Peter McBean, 10 May 2022;

• Forensic Science Service Tasmania – Report of Analysis of Oral Fluid Sample – Harrison Jared Tucker, 12 April 2022;

• Crash Data Retrieval report – VW Tiguan CDRX;

• Affidavit – Craig Shepherd, Transport Safety and Investigation Officer, Department of State Growth, sworn 9 May 2022;

• Tasmanian Health Service – Medical Records – Harrison Tucker;

• Records – Ambulance Tasmania – 14 April 2022; and

• Police radio transcripts, body worn camera footage and forensic evidence.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Harrison Jared Tucker. He was disqualified from driving a motorcycle (but had been apprehended and charged with the very same offence a matter of days before) but despite that he continued to unlawfully ride a high powered motorcycle around the Launceston area, after having taken illegal drugs.

Mr Tucker suffered multiple injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash which occurred because, whilst attempting to evade police, he sped through a red light, braked heavily and lost control of the motorcycle. The motorcycle crashed into a VW Tiguan sedan being lawfully and safely driven by Mr Peter McBean. Despite the best efforts of first responders Mr Tucker died at the scene.

The actions of the police involved in the incident are to be commended.

The accident which claimed Mr Tucker’s life was entirely his own fault. Excessive speed and illicit drugs (methylamphetamine) both contributed to the crash.

Comments and Recommendations The circumstances of Mr Tucker’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 Tucker.

Dated: 26 June 2023 at Hobart in the State of Tasmania.

Simon Cooper Coroner