Coroner's Finding: Walsh, Chloe Michelle
Deceased
Chloe Michelle Walsh
Demographics
15y, female
Date of death
2014-10-03
Finding date
2018-10-18
Cause of death
Multiple blunt traumatic injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash
AI-generated summary
Chloe Michelle Walsh, aged 15, died from multiple blunt traumatic injuries sustained as a rear-seat passenger in a motor vehicle crash in Strahan, Tasmania on 3 October 2014. The driver, a 20-year-old with only a learner's licence, was impaired by alcohol (BAC 0.121) and cannabis, driving an unregistered and mechanically deficient vehicle. Walsh was not wearing a seatbelt because the clasp was inaccessible. She was ejected through the windscreen and killed almost instantaneously. The coroner noted that had Walsh been wearing a properly fitted seatbelt like other passengers, she may have survived. This case demonstrates the critical importance of vehicle safety compliance, seat belt usage, impaired driving prevention, and appropriate driver licensing.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Contributing factors
- Driver impairment by alcohol and cannabis
- Driver not holding appropriate licence (learner's licence only)
- Vehicle unregistered and mechanically deficient
- Vehicle deficiencies including faulty seatbelt clasp
- Passenger not wearing seatbelt due to inaccessible clasp
- Reckless and dangerous driving
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