Coroner's Finding: Clark, Todd Anthony
Deceased
Todd Anthony Clark
Demographics
47y, male
Date of death
2022-12-20
Finding date
2024-07-31
Cause of death
Catastrophic traumatic brain injury sustained in a single motor vehicle crash
AI-generated summary
Todd Anthony Clark, aged 47, died from catastrophic traumatic brain injury following a single-vehicle motor crash on 17 December 2022. He was driving at approximately 150 km/h in a 60 km/h zone when he lost control on a curve. His driving was impaired by a blood alcohol concentration of 0.119% combined with therapeutic levels of clonazepam and oxycodone—both CNS depressants. He had consumed alcohol after six months abstinence, and witnesses noted he was angry after an incident at the hotel prior to driving. The coroner found excessive speed was the primary cause, compounded by alcohol and medication impairment. While seizure contribution could not be excluded medically, the 14-year seizure-free history made this unlikely. This case underscores the critical dangers of driving under the combined influence of alcohol and CNS-depressant medications, and the impaired judgment that can follow emotional provocation.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- Excessive speed (approximately 150 km/h in a 60 km/h zone)
- Blood alcohol concentration of 0.119%
- Concurrent use of CNS depressants (clonazepam and oxycodone)
- Impaired driving judgment and reflexes due to alcohol and medication
- Anger/emotional state prior to driving
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