Coroner's Finding: BEDNAREK Shantel Lisa

7y · Female·Multiple abdominal injuries including traumatic rupture of the liver and stomach sustained in motor vehicle collision

A 7-year-old girl died from massive abdominal injuries sustained when a car, driven by an insulin-dependent diabetic man, collided with a group of pedestrians. The driver had undiagnosed and unaware hypoglycemia at the time of the accident. Key clinical lessons include: (1) insulin-dependent diabetics with hypoglycaemia unawareness are at severe risk of sudden unconsciousness while driving; (2) medical practitioners have a legal duty under Section 148 of the Motor Vehicles Act to report drivers unfit to drive due to medical conditions; (3) the driver received contradictory discharge instructions from hospital and was not adequately monitored for compliance with driving restrictions; (4) the driver's GP failed to investigate a motor vehicle accident occurring one month after a severe hypoglycaemic episode and seizure, and certified him fit to drive without proper assessment; (5) missed medical appointments following a serious hypoglycaemic episode requiring hospitalization should trigger mandatory reporting to licensing authorities. The death was preventable had medical practitioners followed legal obligations and maintained appropriate clinical vigilance regarding fitness to drive.