Coronial
VICother

Finding into death of Doina Maria Predescu

Deceased

Doina Maria Predescu

Demographics

76y, female

Date of death

2022-09-02

Finding date

2024-08-29

Cause of death

Injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision (pedestrian)

AI-generated summary

Doina Maria Predescu, aged 76, died from injuries sustained when struck by a motor vehicle while crossing Heaths Road as a pedestrian in poor visibility conditions. The coroner found no medical or health system failures contributed to her death. The collision occurred after dusk in a poorly lit area; she wore dark clothing and crossed where there was no pedestrian crossing. The driver's conduct was not contributory. The coroner found the death was a tragic accident and not preventable, but made recommendations regarding traffic safety infrastructure near the Italian Social Club, including consideration of pedestrian crossings, roundabouts, reduced speed limits at peak times, and improved street lighting to prevent similar incidents.

AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.

Contributing factors

  • Poor visibility conditions (after dusk)
  • Deceased wearing dark-coloured clothing
  • Pedestrian crossing where there was no pedestrian crossing
  • Inadequate street lighting in the area
  • High speed limit (60 km/h) for area with high pedestrian volume
  • Lack of traffic control mechanisms near Italian Social Club

Coroner's recommendations

  1. Installation of traffic control mechanisms such as pedestrian crossings or roundabouts along Heaths Road in the vicinity of the Italian Social Club to facilitate safe pedestrian crossing
  2. Review and reduction of the speed limit along the section of Heaths Road, Hopper's Crossing, in the vicinity of the Italian Social Club, particularly at peak times, given the high volume of pedestrians frequenting the area
  3. Reassessment of the quality and intensity of street lighting (lampposts) along Heaths Road in the vicinity of the Italian Social Club
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