A coroner has pointed to alcohol and excessive speed as the cause of a crash that claimed the lives of three friends two years ago, including a couple who had only been together for a year.
The fatal two-vehicle collision took place on South Arm Road near Clifton Beach just after 5pm on Saturday, August 27, 2022.
27-year-old Brady Leigh Nunn, 28-year-old Andrew Stuart Everett and 19-year-old Madilyn Beth Baird, died instantly when their Toyota Corolla, driven by Nunn, slammed into a Volkswagen Golf.
Everett was seated in the front passenger seat, while his partner Baird sat in the back left seat.
Coroner Robert Webster said the weather was fine at the time of the crash and the road, with a speed limit of 100km/h, was dry and in good repair.
According to Webster’s findings, a witness described seeing the Toyota overtaking a van at high speed just before the crash, noting the vehicle was “swaying from side to side like it was floating”.
They said they thought the car was going to crash.
Another witness recalled seeing the Toyota speeding towards him, far exceeding 100km/h, similarly describing the car as “floating”.
Police estimated that the Toyota was travelling at a minimum of 126km/h when it lost control, crossed the double centre line and struck the Volkswagen head-on.
Toxicology results revealed that Nunn’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.277—more than five times the legal limit. Everett’s BAC was 0.141, more than twice the legal limit.
The driver of the Volkswagen and their passenger sustained serious injuries and were transported to the hospital. They tested negative for alcohol and drugs.
Everyone involved was wearing their seat belts and both drivers were licensed.
“I am satisfied that this tragic crash was solely caused by Mr Nunn driving at excessive speed while intoxicated,” Webster said.
“He lost control of his vehicle while attempting to negotiate a right-hand
bend.”
He said the driver of the Volkswagen was “driving wholly within his lane” and travelling at a speed and in a manner “appropriate for the circumstances”.
“[The driver] had a very limited time to observe the impending collision and attempt to avoid it,” Webster said.
“Unfortunately, he was unable to do so.”
