A coroner has determined that “negligent driving” by an unaccompanied learner driver caused the death of a 74-year-old Huon Valley man.
Joshua Vaughan struck and killed Errol Fletcher near the BP petrol station in Huonville on November 30, 2022.
Following the incident, Vaughan pleaded guilty to negligent driving causing death and driving while unaccompanied as an L-plater.
He was sentenced to a 24-month suspended jail term.
Coroner Robert Webster said Fletcher was walking along the footpath to the supermarket when he was hit by Vaughan’s car.
He suffered severe head injuries and passed away at the Royal Hobart Hospital on December 2.
“As he has walked on the footpath past the exit to the service station he was hit by the vehicle driven by Mr Vaughan,” Webster said.
“Mr Fletcher was struck by the bonnet of that vehicle and pushed backwards onto the roadway where he struck the back of his head.”
Webster found that Vaughan failed to give way to Fletcher, who had the right of way, despite Vaughan telling police he had seen the ‘old guy walking towards’ his vehicle before pulling out.
“Having seen Mr Fletcher walking towards his vehicle from the left prior to merging into the traffic on Main Street, he looked twice to the right and he saw a gap in the traffic,” Webster said.
“He then drove off without checking on where Mr Fletcher was.”
“Mr Vaughan therefore failed to keep a proper lookout and he failed to give way to Mr Fletcher who was entitled to right of way.”
