Drink-drive death alert
A SOUTHERN Tasmanian man’s death in 2014 highlights the tragic consequences of a driver and passenger being intoxicated, a Tasmanian coroner says.
Coroner Olivia McTaggart yesterday released her findings into the death of Vincent Allen, saying he died from massive head injuries sus- tained in a single-vehicle crash on the Huon Highway at Dover on March 9, 2014.
Ms McTaggart said Mr Allen, 51, the front-seat passenger, was not wearing a seatbelt and was seen hanging out the passenger-side window of the car just before it crashed.
She said Mr Allen had a blood-alcohol reading of 0.296, the driver, Mr Allen’s friend Ian Rushton, had a blood alcohol reading of 0.147, and it was likely the two men had consumed cannabis together before the crash.
“Speed and impairment on the part of Mr Rushton together with Mr Allen’s own failure to wear his seatbelt were the contributing causes of Mr Allen’s fatal injury,” Ms McTaggart said.
“Mr Allen’s death highlights the tragic consequences of impaired judgment both as a driver and passenger whilst under the influence of alcohol and drugs.”
Ms McTaggart said Rushton lost control of his car on a right-hand curve that had a sign advising a maximum speed of 45km/h. Investigations found Rushton was travelling at 103km/h.
He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
He was sentenced in the Supreme Court, after a Crown appeal against the original sentence, to two years and nine months in prison, with a nonparole period of half of the sentence.
He was also charged with driving while disqualified, driving while an illicit drug was present in his body, drink driving, and failing to ensure his passenger was wearing a seatbelt.
Rushton pleaded guilty to those charges in the Magistrates Court on February 17 last year.
“I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Vincent Allen,” Ms McTaggart said.
“It is clear from the statements of family members that Mr Allen was a caring and supportive member of his family and much loved.”