Coronial
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Finding into death of Shaun Barry PRICE

Deceased

Shaun Barry PRICE

Demographics

19y, male

Date of death

2010-08-07

Finding date

2011-03-22

Cause of death

Head and Chest injuries sustained in motor vehicle collision

AI-generated summary

Shaun Barry Price, a 19-year-old on his birthday, died in a motor vehicle collision at 2:30 AM on Dow Avenue, Cabarita. Having celebrated at a nightclub with significant alcohol consumption (BAC 0.140%), he drove toward his girlfriend's house after being ejected from the venue. While traveling at 110 km/h around a left-hand curve, he lost control of his vehicle, which collided with a fence and strainer posts. Multiple contributing factors were identified: limited driving experience (P2 probationary license for one year), alcohol impairment, vehicle speed, low road surface friction (0.511g), possible unawareness of actual speed due to faulty dashboard illumination, and failure to apply emergency braking. He was not wearing a seatbelt. The vehicle was mechanically sound with good visibility despite darkness. The coroner recommended reviewing the speed limit from 100 km/h to 80 km/h given the carriageway characteristics, curves, intersections, and nearby driveways.

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

Drugs involved

Contributing factors

  • Limited driving experience (P2 probationary license, held for one year)
  • Alcohol impairment (BAC 0.140%)
  • Vehicle speed (110 km/h)
  • Low road surface friction (0.511g)
  • Possible unawareness of actual vehicle speed due to faulty dashboard illumination
  • Not wearing seatbelt
  • No emergency braking applied prior to loss of control
  • Eagerness to reach girlfriend's residence

Coroner's recommendations

  1. Review and lower the speed limit in the collision area from 100 km/h to 80 km/h, considering carriageway width, curves, intersections, and private driveways
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