Deceased
Hayden Kennedy
Demographics
18y, male
Date of death
2021-10-31
Finding date
2024-11-11
Cause of death
head injury sustained in motor vehicle crash
AI-generated summary
Hayden Kennedy, 18, died from a head injury sustained as a passenger in a Polaris UTV driven by Thomas Rowlands. The vehicle crashed into a tree stump on a rural gravel road after Rowlands lost control negotiating a curve while travelling at approximately 96 km/h (34 km/h above safe speed for the curve, 16 km/h above the speed limit) and intoxicated (estimated BAC 0.124–0.231 g/100 mL at time of crash). Kennedy was not wearing a helmet. The crash was entirely attributable to Rowlands' dangerous driving—excessive speed and alcohol intoxication. The coroner noted that helmet use might have reduced injury severity and highlighted gaps in safety regulation for UTVs, which fall outside quad bike safety requirements despite similar risk profiles.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
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Source and disclaimer
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