Inquest into the Deaths of Steven Walter McLean and Shane Henry Wallam
Deceased
Steven Walter McLean and Shane Henry Wallam
Demographics
21y, male
Date of death
2011-04-30
Finding date
2015-01-08
Cause of death
Steven McLean: Head and Neck Injury (cervical spine separation from skull with brain stem tearing); Shane Wallam: Multiple Injuries (head and spinal column separation, severe brain stem injury, lower left leg trauma, long bone fractures)
AI-generated summary
Two young Aboriginal men, Steven McLean (21) and Shane Wallam (20), died in a motor vehicle crash on 30 April 2011 near Carrabin, WA, while driving a stolen vehicle at dangerous speeds. Both were severely intoxicated by alcohol (0.094% and 0.07% BAC) and toluene from volatile substance inhalation (4.0 and 6.5 mg/L). Expert evidence established that combined intoxication substantially impaired judgement, coordination, visual perception, reaction time, and ability to handle emergencies—increasing crash risk eightfold to thirteenfold. The men drove recklessly at speeds exceeding 150 km/h, overtaking dangerously on bends. After police attempted to stop them at Carrabin Roadhouse, they accelerated, lost control on a bend, and struck a tree. The coroner found the deaths accidental, caused by severe dual substance intoxication leading to uncontrolled driving. No preventable clinical errors were identified; existing police training was deemed adequate.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Contributing factors
- Alcohol intoxication (Steven 0.094% BAC, Shane 0.07% BAC)
- Toluene vapour inhalation (Steven 4.0 mg/L, Shane 6.5 mg/L)
- Combined dual substance intoxication impairing judgement, coordination, and reaction time
- Reckless high-speed driving exceeding 150 km/h
- Dangerous overtaking on bends with double white lines
- Loss of control on right-hand bend while partially on gravel verge
- Over-correction of steering unable to be regained at speed
- Stolen vehicle and expectation of police pursuit
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