Finding into death of Garry Montgomery Theobold
Deceased
Garry Montgomery Theobold
Demographics
50y, male
Date of death
2014-02-15
Finding date
2017-07-11
Cause of death
Multiple injuries
AI-generated summary
Garry Montgomery Theobold, aged 50, died from multiple injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision on a wet, winding regional road with poor skid resistance. The collision involved his Toyota Prado and an unladen Mack tipper truck driven by Wayne Kortholt. Expert analysis determined the truck was travelling at approximately 53-58 km/hr when it lost control, exceeding the critical curve speed of 49.4 km/hr for wet conditions. Key contributing factors were excessive speed for conditions, significant differential friction between the truck's left and right wheel paths (0.1-0.25 sfc difference), wet road surface, and the truck being unladen. The road had been identified as in poor condition with deteriorated skid resistance since May 2012. Deceased's driving was not contributory. While VicRoads' response with signage was reasonable pending resurfacing, the collision was avoidable had the truck negotiated the curve at or below the 45 km/hr advisory speed limit.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Error types
Contributing factors
- Excessive speed for road conditions - truck travelling at 53-58 km/hr in 45 km/hr advisory zone, exceeding critical curve speed of 49.4 km/hr for wet conditions
- Significant differential skid resistance between left and right wheel paths (0.1-0.25 sfc)
- Wet road surface with variable skid resistance
- Truck unladen with no weight on drive wheels reducing traction
- Contaminated tyres with bitumen and stone screenings reducing grip
- Road surface deterioration since last SCRIM test in May 2012
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