Inquest into the Death of Sharon Ann D'ERCOLE
Deceased
Sharon Ann D'Ercole
Demographics
50y, female
Date of death
2012-04-12
Finding date
2017-02-28
Cause of death
Multiple injuries sustained in motor vehicle accident at intersection
AI-generated summary
Sharon Ann D'Ercole, a 50-year-old woman, died on 12 April 2012 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Alexander and Morley Drives in Dianella, Perth. She was driving through a green traffic light when struck by a marked police Ford Territory traveling east through a red light at approximately 75 km/h while pursuing a stolen Audi. The police driver had observed the deceased's vehicle to his left but mistakenly believed the driver was yielding. However, the deceased had not registered the police emergency vehicle with its activated lights and sirens and did not give way as required by law. She was focused on the Audi that had passed through the intersection ahead. The coroner found the death was accidental, resulting solely from the police driver's serious error of judgment in risk assessment. The coroner recommended a public education campaign to remind drivers of their legal obligation to give way to emergency vehicles.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Contributing factors
- Police driver's serious error of judgment in risk assessment at intersection
- Police driver did not confirm vehicle to his left was actually stopping before proceeding through red light
- Deceased did not register police emergency vehicle with activated lights and sirens
- Deceased was reacting to stolen Audi that had passed through intersection and did not give way as required by Road Traffic Code
- Public's general lack of understanding of obligation to give way to emergency vehicles
Coroner's recommendations
- Public education campaign to remind the driving public of their obligations under Road Traffic Code regulation 60 to give way to police and emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights or sounding an alarm
- Practical driving skill testing for the most qualified levels of police driving should be considered
- Greater emphasis needed on the ability for any police officer in a vehicle to abort emergency driving situations
- Training in crush analysis technology for Major Crash Investigation Section
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