Inquest into the death of Road Death 51 of 2024
Demographics
59y, female
Date of death
2024-10-19
Finding date
2024
Cause of death
Complications of blunt force chest injuries with clinically diagnosed Pseudomonas pneumonia; morbid conditions: decompensated liver cirrhosis (alcohol-related) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
AI-generated summary
A 59-year-old woman with Child Pugh C liver cirrhosis and COPD suffered a single-vehicle crash on 15 October 2024 after losing control of her vehicle at a caravan park entrance. She had a blood alcohol level of 0.096% (moderate intoxication) and told paramedics she was unable to slow down. The crash caused bilateral rib fractures, pulmonary contusions, pneumothorax, and lumbar spine fracture. She developed type 1 respiratory failure, Pseudomonas pneumonia, and acute renal failure during a 4-day hospital admission and died on 19 October 2024. The cause remains uncertain—either alcohol impairment or an unwitnessed medical episode precipitated the loss of vehicle control. Her pre-existing severe liver disease and COPD contributed significantly to her deterioration and death.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- Single motor vehicle collision
- Bilateral rib fractures and pulmonary contusions
- Pneumothorax
- Type 1 respiratory failure
- Pseudomonas pneumonia
- Acute renal failure
- Decompensated Child Pugh C liver cirrhosis secondary to alcohol
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Moderate blood alcohol intoxication (0.096%)
- Possible unwitnessed medical episode
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