Finding into death of Antonio Totaro

81y · Male·Head injuries sustained in a motor vehicle incident (pedestrian) in a man with ischaemic cardiomyopathy

An 81-year-old man with ischaemic cardiomyopathy, diabetes, previous stroke, and peripheral vascular disease was struck by a motor vehicle while crossing Cranbourne Road in Frankston. He sustained severe head injuries with subarachnoid and subdural haemorrhage, diffuse axonal injury, and a fractured fibula. He was admitted to ICU at The Alfred Hospital but showed no neurological improvement after 48 hours and developed severe cardiogenic shock. After discussion with family, he was treated palliatively and died on 31 May 2009. The collision resulted from a tragic accumulation of factors: the unsafe crossing location, Mr Totaro's slow pace due to recent stroke, sun glare, tree overhang causing shadows, and the acute angle of the driver's entry onto the road. The coroner found no evidence of driver fault but noted the pedestrian's vulnerability and recommended road safety improvements.