Inquest into the death of Road Death 28 of 2024

61y · Male·Multiple blunt force injuries sustained in motor vehicle versus cyclist collision

A 61-year-old experienced cyclist was struck by a Toyota Landcruiser at a Stuart Highway intersection in Darwin at 5:54 am while riding on the road in dark conditions. Multiple factors compromised visibility: a malfunctioning streetlight, dark clothing, and the cyclist's single red taillight blending among traffic lights and brake lights. Driver 2, travelling at 80 km/h (legal limit), checked mirrors but did not see the cyclist until too late and could not avoid collision despite heavy braking. The vehicle was found to be unroadworthy with brake defects, but investigation concluded these did not contribute to the crash. CPR was commenced by a nearby driver and continued by paramedics, but the cyclist could not be revived. The coroner found no criminal charges warranted, concluding that from the point any driver could have identified the cyclist, collision was unavoidable.