A young mother who died in a crash on the East Tamar Highway after overtaking vehicles at around 140km/h was under the influence of methylamphetamine and cannabis, a coroner has found.
Jalissa Maree Ferguson, 29, was driving from Launceston to her home in George Town on April 9, 2023, when she lost control of her vehicle and slammed into a concrete drain.
The impact threw Ferguson from the vehicle and flipped it, leaving it facing the wrong way on the highway and her trapped under the wheel arch.
Police believe Ferguson was travelling at a minimum speed of 95km/h when the crash occurred, having overtaken multiple vehicles at high-speed just minutes earlier.
Investigators said Ferguson was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash, had illicit drugs in her system and may have been fatigued, as there was no evidence she had slept in the 24 hours prior.
The vehicle Ferguson was driving did not meet roadworthy standards and had only been purchased by her a few weeks earlier.
Coroner Olivia McTaggart said Ferguson had placed herself at high risk of death and that risk had “sadly eventuated”.
“Ms Ferguson chose to drive her vehicle at speed, having consumed illicit drugs and without wearing a seatbelt,” she said.
“I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Ms Ferguson.”
