Inquest into the Death of Mr Toby
Delivered on 17 September 2015 at Perth.
Finding of Deputy State Coroner Vicker.
Suppression Orders
That the name of the deceased not be published, and that the deceased be referred to as Mr Toby.
No publication of the details of any discussions in relation to the Police Emergency Driving Policies and Guidelines or Operations.
Summary
The deceased was a 45 year old aboriginal male at the time of his death. The deceased was the driver of a Toyota Hilux Utility when he lost control of the vehicle which rolled, ejecting the deceased from an open window and pinning him under the vehicle. Unsuccessful attempts were made to resuscitate the deceased and he died at the scene.
On the evening of 25 August 2012 the deceased was the sole driver of the Toyota Hilux Utility when police attempted to conduct a random breath test. The deceased did not stop when called upon to do so by the police officers.
A pursuit commenced as a Priority two capability. Police attempted to obtain a registration for the Toyota Hilux Utility which would enable them to cease following the vehicle and to continue with their law enforcement activity with respect to the driver of that vehicle failing to stop at another time.
Police officers also made a risk assessment as to the competency of the driver along both sealed and unsealed portions of the road they were travelling on. The police proceeded to follow the Toyota Hilux Utility for six kilometres when the deceased lost control of the vehicle he was driving on a left hand curve where it experienced a three quarter roll over.
The Coroner found that the deceased died at the scene as a result of head injury and death arose by way of accident.
The Coroner made comments in respect to the continued training for police officers in respect to emergency driving.
Catch Words
Police Pursuit : Accident.
Last updated: 16 August 2022
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