Inquest into the death of Shechem Wasan-Garlngarr
Deceased
Shechem Wesan-Garlngarr
Demographics
23y, male
Date of death
2010-01-07
Finding date
2011-09-23
Cause of death
Single motor vehicle roll-over collision; traumatic asphyxiation
AI-generated summary
A 23-year-old Aboriginal man died in a single vehicle rollover on the Stuart Highway, Northern Territory after losing control of a stolen vehicle on wet road surfaces while travelling at excessive speed. He was heavily intoxicated (blood alcohol 0.238%) and unlicensed, driving a stolen utility vehicle containing stolen alcohol. He failed to stop for police, leading to a 17km pursuit which was properly terminated. He continued driving at high speed and crashed ~41km later. He was ejected from the vehicle due to not wearing a seatbelt and died from traumatic asphyxiation trapped under the vehicle. A passenger wearing a seatbelt sustained only minor injuries. This death was preventable had the deceased worn an available, functional seatbelt.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- Intoxication with high blood alcohol level (0.238%)
- Excessive speed in wet road conditions
- Failure to wear seatbelt
- Unlicensed and inexperienced driver
- Wet road surface and poor visibility from weather conditions
- Operating stolen vehicle
- Deliberate failure to stop for police resulting in police pursuit
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