Grace, Daniel Scott and Heffler, Raymond John
Deceased
Daniel Scott Grace and Raymond John Heffler
Demographics
male
Date of death
2007-04-04
Finding date
2009-12-14
Cause of death
Multiple injuries from single vehicle truck rollover due to driver impairment (methylamphetamine) and excessive speed (100–115 km/h in 80 km/h zone) while failing to safely negotiate a sweeping right-hand bend
AI-generated summary
A 2005 Kenworth prime mover truck carrying Daniel Scott Grace (driver) and Raymond John Heffler (passenger) rolled over on the Bruce Highway near Bajool, Queensland on 4 April 2007 around 3:40am. The truck failed to negotiate a sweeping right-hand bend onto a bridge over Eight Mile Creek, tipped, struck the guard rail, and fell into the creek. Expert crash analysis determined Grace was the driver based on injury patterns and vehicle dynamics. Both occupants had amphetamine and methylamphetamine in their blood—levels that would impair driving ability. The vehicle was travelling at approximately 100-115 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. The coroner found that the crash resulted from Grace's impairment due to methylamphetamine use combined with excessive speed on the bend. Both men were ejected from the truck and died from multiple injuries. The coroner recommended development of early warning tip devices for trailers to alert drivers to potential rollover.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- Driver impairment due to methylamphetamine use
- Excessive speed in 80 km/h zone
- Failed to safely negotiate sweeping right-hand bend
- Amphetamine and methylamphetamine present in both occupants' blood
- Lack of early warning tip device for trailer
Coroner's recommendations
- Queensland Department of Transport and Road Transport industry should continue to support the development of early warning tip devices for trailers being hauled by prime movers to alert drivers to potential rollover due to movement of the trailer
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