Finding into death of LF M

52y · Male·Multiple injuries sustained in a motor vehicle incident (driver) in a man with a history of seizures

A 52-year-old man with epilepsy died in a motor vehicle collision when his car struck a parked truck at high speed with no evidence of braking. Witness accounts and collision reconstruction suggested he experienced a seizure immediately before impact. He had been diagnosed with epilepsy in 2010 and managed with antiepileptic medications (Topamax and Lamotrigine), both at therapeutic levels at autopsy. The coroner found no fault in his neurologist's clinical management. However, critical gaps existed in VicRoads' medical review process: the authority was not informed of multiple seizure episodes between clinic reviews, including seizures occurring 6-9 months before death. The coroner identified a systemic issue—no legal obligation exists for doctors to report medically unfit drivers to VicRoads, and the current medical reporting form only captures the most recent seizure rather than all seizures within 12 months. These communication and system failures meant VicRoads could not accurately assess driving fitness.