Inquest into the death of Ashley Richards

Contributing factors

• motor vehicle crash at high speed
• driver fleeing from police in stolen vehicle
• driver traveling against red light at estimated 180+ km/h
• collision with vehicle turning across highway
• inadequate police incident management coordination
• delayed identification of offenders
• lack of police vehicle location systems
• limited resolution strategies available to police
• continued high-speed pursuit dynamics
• passenger not wearing seatbelt

Coroner's recommendations

1. Finalise the draft Joint Emergency Services Communications Centre Procedure as soon as possible
2. Fit Automated Vehicle Locators to police vehicles as soon as possible
3. Implement a system for review of all critical incidents with the intent to ensure continuous learning and improvement
4. Establish clear protocols for activation of Northern Territory Incident Control System in high-risk situations
5. Develop centralized coordination of police vehicles during major incidents
6. Improve inter-team coordination and information sharing between investigation teams
7. Expand use of number plate recognition cameras
8. Trial Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) for tracking target vehicles
9. Develop formal policy for use of spike/tyre deflation devices including safety protocols and speed thresholds
10. Implement Service Station Automated Notification System (SANS)
11. Continue trials and expansion of NightHawk remote-deployment tyre deflation systems