A driver who failed to give way killed an experienced motorcyclist on a north-west Tasmanian highway, a coroner has found.
Mina Brock, 47, died at Sassafras on December 28, 2023, after a car turned across her path on the Bass Highway.
The CSIRO laboratory technician was on a four-day trip with her two daughters. One daughter was riding pillion, while her other daughter was following on a second motorcycle.
Ashley Rickert was driving a Mitsubishi Outlander south when she crossed into the northbound lane to turn onto Native Plains Road.
She failed to give way to Brock’s motorcycle and her car struck it.
Brock and her daughter were thrown from the bike. Brock died at the scene from multiple injuries to her head, spine, pelvis and limbs.
Her daughter survived but suffered serious injuries, including a liver laceration.
Coroner Leigh Mackey found Rickert did not see the motorcycle despite a clear line of sight and visibility of about 740 metres.
Mackey found the crash was caused by Rickert’s inattention, her failure to see Brock’s motorcycle and her failure to give way.
Neither driver had alcohol or drugs in their blood and both vehicles were roadworthy.
The coroner found speed was not a factor, with Brock travelling within the 110km/h limit.
A police motorcycle instructor who reviewed earlier helmet camera footage of Brock riding said her road positioning, crash avoidance space and handling were “excellent”.
Rickert pleaded guilty to causing death by negligent driving and causing grievous bodily harm.
She was disqualified from driving for 10 months and sentenced to four months in prison, wholly suspended.
