Deceased
Darren James Craighead
Demographics
41y, male
Coroner
Coroner Stella Stuthridge
Date of death
2010-04-11
Finding date
2011-11-14
Cause of death
Multiple injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision (motorcycle)
AI-generated summary
A 41-year-old experienced motorcycle rider died from multiple injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision at a T-intersection near Wahgunyah, Victoria. The deceased was struck by a car driven by another motorist who failed to comply with a Give Way sign at an S-bend intersection. The driver had checked traffic briefly before commencing a right-hand turn into the motorcycle's path. This death resulted from a traffic accident rather than a medical or clinical failure, with no healthcare-related preventability issues identified. The coroner recommended installation of prominent "Look Right" signage to improve intersection safety.
AI-generated summary — refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
IN THE CORONERS COURT OF VICTORIA AT WANGARATTA Court Reference: 1368 / 2010
Form 38 Rule 60(2) Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008
I, STELLA MARIA STUTHRIDGE, Coroner having investigated the death of DARREN JAMES
without holding an inquest:
find that the identity of the deceased was DARREN JAMES CRAIGHEAD
born on 10 October 1968
and the death occurred on 11 April 2010
at Intersection of Federation Way and Victoria Street, Wahgunyah, Victoria 3687
from:
Pursuant to section 67(2) of the Coroners Act 2008, I make findings with respect to the following circumstances:
Darren James Craighead was 41 years old, He lived in Corowa, New South Wales with his partner Stacey Foster. Mr Craighead was an experienced rider and considered both competent and cautious. He owned a Suzuki DRZ motorbike.
On Sunday 11 April 2010, Mr Craighead and Ms Foster decided to go for a ride to Grantham (near the river) near Wahgunyah, At about 4.30pm they left Lake Moodemere to head home.
Mr Craighead and Ms Foster (pillion passenger) were riding along the Rutherglen-Wahgunyah Road and approaching the intersection with Victoria Street.
Mr Rino Bernardi was travelling east on Victoria Street. The approach to the intersection is an S bend where Victoria Street ends at a T intersection. There is a Give Way sign applicable to Mr Bernardi. Investigation of the accident by police suggests Mr Bernardi checked to the left some distance back from the intersection, He then commenced a right hand turn, pulling into the path of the motor cycle with Mr Craighead and Ms Foster.
Coroners Court (Amendment No. 1) Rules 2011
Mr Craighead immediately braked, causing a brief rear wheel skid before the motorcycle struck the right front of the car being driven by Mr Bernardi. Mr Craighead and Ms Foster were both thrown from the motor cycle. Mr Craighead died at the scene. Ms Foster was transported to hospital with serious injuries.
Mr Bernardi was interviewed, charged and convicted of careless driving and fail to comply with a Give Way sign.
am satisfied Mr Craighead died as a result of multiple injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision (motor cycle),
Pursuant to section 72(2) of the Coroners Act 2008, I make the following recommendation(s) connected with the death:
Victoria Police had made a recommendation to VicRoads for a prominent sign saying “Look Right” be installed at the end of the centre island where Victoria St ends in order to draw attention to possible traffic approaching from the south that may have been missed when checking further back in the intersection. Police have noted that realigning the intersection would ereate other risks,
L adopt this recommendation and ask VicRoads undertake the remedial work as soon as possible.
Signature:
STELIAMARIA STUT HRIDGE Coroner Date: 14 November 2011
Coroners Court (Amendment No. 1) Rules 2011
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