Coroner's Finding: HYDE Justin Reny Edward
Deceased
Justin Reny Edward Hyde
Demographics
18y, male
Date of death
2000-06-16
Finding date
2002-12-04
Cause of death
left haemopneumothorax due to traumatic rupture of the lower lobe of the left lung
AI-generated summary
An 18-year-old male riding a motorcycle died when the vehicle crashed into a culvert while being pursued by police. The deceased was riding whilst disqualified from holding a licence and fled from police at moderate speeds through Port Lincoln streets. While riding on Normandy Place, he deliberately left the sealed road surface, likely intending to use the motorcycle's off-road capabilities to escape across a reserve. The culvert was not visible in darkness, and the motorcycle became airborne, causing internal injuries fatal to the rider. Police maintained appropriate safe distances and speeds throughout the pursuit, which lasted only minutes. First aid was provided promptly. The coroner found this was not a high-speed or reckless police pursuit, and the deceased's decision to leave the road was deliberate, motivated by desire to evade identification. No police fault was identified.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- riding motorcycle whilst disqualified from driving
- evasion of police pursuit
- deliberate leaving of sealed road surface onto unfamiliar terrain
- darkness and poor visibility of culvert location
- motorcycle's off-road capabilities utilised for evasion
- unfamiliarity with location and presence of culvert
- operation of motorcycle without number plate, lights or mirrors
Coroner's recommendations
- Local council should monitor Normandy Place for evidence of motorists accidentally entering the culvert at night and, if such evidence emerges, should consider additional lighting or signage in that location
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