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Coroner's Finding: Allen, Vincent

Deceased

Vincent Allen

Demographics

51y, male

Date of death

2014-03-09

Finding date

2017-12-11

Cause of death

head injury from motor vehicle crash

AI-generated summary

Vincent Allen, aged 51, died from head injuries sustained as a front-seat passenger in a motor vehicle crash on 9 March 2014. The driver, Ian Rushton, was travelling at 103 km/h through a curve with a recommended speed of 45 km/h. Rushton was disqualified from driving (disqualified 13 days prior for drink-driving), had a blood alcohol level of 0.147 g/100mls (nearly three times the legal limit), and was affected by cannabis and citalopram. Allen had a very high blood alcohol level (0.296 g/100mls), was not wearing a seatbelt, and was observed hanging out the passenger window. The crash was preventable through responsible decision-making by Rushton, who chose to drive whilst disqualified and impaired despite viable alternatives.

AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.

Contributing factors

  • driver excessive speed (103 km/h in 45 km/h curve)
  • driver alcohol impairment (blood alcohol 0.147 g/100mls)
  • driver disqualified from driving
  • driver cannabis use
  • driver antidepressant use (citalopram)
  • passenger not wearing seatbelt
  • passenger severe alcohol intoxication (0.296 g/100mls)
  • passenger cannabis use
  • passenger dangerous behaviour (hanging out window)
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Source and disclaimer

This page reproduces or summarises information from publicly available findings published by Australian coroners' courts. Coronial is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any coronial court or government body.

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