A drink-driver with an estimated blood alcohol reading well over the legal limit was likely speeding when he crashed and died on a Tasmanian highway, a coroner has found.
Michael Barry Radford, 53, lost control of his white Suzuki Baleno on the Midland Highway between Campbell Town and Conara on the night of February 4, 2025.
Coroner Madeleine Wilson found the crash was likely caused by “driver error” linked to alcohol and “excessive speed”.
Radford’s car veered off the road, became airborne six times over 87.5 metres and came to rest on its roof in a table drain.
He suffered severe injuries, including broken ribs, collapsed lungs, facial fractures and a closed head injury.
He never recovered and was treated palliatively. He died at the Royal Hobart Hospital 17 days later.
Radford had been drinking before he got behind the wheel.
He left his father’s home that afternoon with 10 to 12 stubbies of mid-strength lager, heading to his partner’s house at Campbell Town.
He arrived around 5pm carrying a six-pack and appearing to have been drinking. Later in the evening he became angry, packed his bags and left.
A blood sample taken in hospital showed an alcohol level of 0.059. A forensic scientist back-calculated his likely reading at the time of the crash to about 0.127.
That level alone has the potential to significantly impair driving, the finding said.
The crash was unwitnessed, with no CCTV or dashcam footage available.
“I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr Radford,” she said.
