A young woman killed in a crash caused by a driver high on drugs and on the wrong side of the road was the victim of a completely avoidable tragedy, a coroner has found.
Danielle Walker, 26, lost her life on Boyer Road near New Norfolk on June 3, 2023, when she was struck head-on by a car driven by Graham John Freeman.
In findings published on Friday, Coroner Simon Cooper placed sole responsibility for the fatal crash on Freeman, saying it was caused “entirely due to the manner” in which he was driving.
The coroner detailed how Freeman had consumed methylamphetamine with friends at his parents’ shack in the Great Lakes area the night before.
After just four hours of sleep and still under the influence, Freeman borrowed his mother’s car from Brighton and headed toward New Norfolk.
Moments before the crash, witnesses reported seeing Freeman’s vehicle drift into oncoming traffic after passing Coomera Court.
One driver narrowly avoided a collision by taking evasive action, but Freeman continued on the wrong side of the road before crashing into Walker’s car.
Paramedics arrived within minutes but Walker was unable to be saved and passed away at the scene.
During the inquest, Freeman was unable to explain why he crossed into oncoming traffic.
The coroner noted Freeman was not only drug-affected and fatigued but likely distracted by TikTok videos playing on his tablet.
Despite what Cooper called “unarguable facts”, Freeman with never charged with any crime or offence by the relevant authorities over Walker’s death.
“I express my sincere and respectful condolences to Ms Walker’s family on their tragic loss,” Cooper said.
