Finding into death of Emma Ashlee Dutton
Deceased
Emma Ashlee Dutton
Demographics
22y, female
Date of death
2013-12-23
Finding date
2018-11-26
Cause of death
Multiple injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision as a passenger
AI-generated summary
Emma Dutton, a 22-year-old front seat passenger, died in a head-on motor vehicle collision on the Calder Highway near Kiamal, Victoria, when the sedan she was travelling in drifted or veered across the centre line into the path of an oncoming 4WD vehicle. The coroner found the sedan was travelling at cruise control (100 kph) at impact with a slight angle of drift consistent with the driver being asleep, distracted, or otherwise oblivious to the vehicle's position. The driver had normal vision (confirmed by ophthalmologist), no alcohol or drugs affecting driving (only therapeutic antidepressant), good rest, and denied fatigue or distraction. Mechanical inspection found no faults with either vehicle. The opposing driver took evasive action but could not avoid the collision. Emma died from severe head and neck injuries on impact despite wearing a seatbelt and airbag deployment. The coroner could not definitively determine the cause of the driver's veer but noted the evidence was consistent with driver inattention or incapacity.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Contributing factors
- Sedan drifted or veered across centre dividing line
- Driver inattention, sleep, or distraction (reason unknown)
- Sedan set on cruise control at time of impact
- Head-on collision with oncoming vehicle
- Severe impact to front passenger side of vehicle
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