Non-inquest findings into the death of Peter Raymond Thistleton

61y · Male·Multiple injuries due to motor vehicle collision (driver)

A 61-year-old truck driver died in a heavy vehicle rollover on the Burnett Highway. Evidence indicates he experienced fatigue-related microsleep while driving at 04:45 hours, causing the prime mover to drift onto the road verge. Despite attempting to correct course, the vehicle struck a ditch, causing trailer uncoupling and rollover. The driver was ejected through the window because he was not wearing his seatbelt—it was fastened behind him to disable sensors. Contributing factors included undiagnosed sleep apnea with interrupted sleep (refusing CPAP therapy), cannabis use detected in blood, evidence of habitual speeding, and poor logbook compliance. The coroner accepted that fatigue, speeding, failure to wear seatbelt, and drug driving combined to cause this death. Clinical lessons include recognition of sleep disorders in occupational drivers, assessment of fitness to drive when untreated respiratory/sleep conditions present, and the critical importance of seatbelt use in preventing ejection during rollovers.