Inquest into the deaths of Jebriel Dandan and Seiffedine Malas

24y · Male·Multiple Traumatic Injuries sustained as a result of motor vehicle crash during police pursuit

Two young men aged 24 and 25 died in a motor vehicle crash during a police pursuit on the M4 Motorway. Police conducted a high-speed speed check (up to 232 kph in an 80 kph zone) for approximately 73 seconds without activating lights and sirens before the vehicle crashed. The driver was under the influence of cocaine, cannabis, tramadol (at supra-therapeutic levels), and benzodiazepines, all of which impaired driving ability. While the coroner found police complied with the Safe Driving Policy, significant concerns were raised about prioritising evidence gathering over community safety. Key clinical lesson: The deceased driver's polypharmacy (cocaine, cannabis, tramadol >2x therapeutic range, benzodiazepam) caused substantial CNS depression and impairment. The coroner made recommendations to amend police policy to mandate lights/sirens activation when target vehicle speed exceeds double the limit or police vehicle speed exceeds specified threshold, emphasising safety over evidence gathering.