Coroner's Finding: Hayward, Vanessa Claire

Female·Chest and abdominal injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash

Vanessa Claire Hayward died from massive chest and abdominal injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision. An unlicensed driver, traveling at 77-80 km/h in a 50 km/h zone in an unroadworthy vehicle with defective tyres, drove through a stop sign and struck the driver's side of Ms Hayward's vehicle. She was transported to Royal Hobart Hospital in critical condition but died shortly after arrival despite medical intervention. The autopsy revealed unsurvivable injuries including lacerated lungs, heart, and liver. Toxicological analysis detected pseudoephedrine, methylamphetamine, and cannabis in her body, but these did not contribute to the crash. The coroner found Ms Hayward's vehicle was roadworthy and her driving was appropriate. All responsibility rests with the other driver, who was subsequently convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.