Man to face culpable driving charges following fatal collision on Barton Highway
A 27-year-old has been summonsed to face culpable driving and drug driving charges following a fatal collision last month.
A 45-year-old man died at the scene of a three-vehicle collision on the Barton Highway at the intersection of the northbound exit from Gungahlin Drive on 15 September 2021. A 42-year-old man was also taken to the Canberra Hospital with serious injuries.
ACT Road Policing’s Major Collision Team began an investigation into the circumstances of the collision and yesterday (13 October 2021) a summons was issued for the 27-year-old to appear in court.
Police will allege the man, from Karabar in NSW, drove a tow truck, carrying a 10 tonne excavator, against a red traffic signal at 80kmh before colliding with a Ford Falcon sedan being driven by the 45-year-old.
The tow truck and Ford Falcon sedan travelled for close to 50m before coming to a stop. The Toyota Land Cruiser being driven by the 43-year-old was propelled 60m before coming to a stop.
Mandatory blood testing of the tow truck driver following the collision detected a positive presence of cannabis.
Officer in Charge ACT Road Policing, Detective Inspector Donna Hofmeier said this collision has had far-reaching impacts.
“While it is now up to the courts to decide what happens next, what we have here are the results of a driver running a red light,” Detective Inspector Hofmeier said.
“Any death on our roads is a tragedy. This death was completely avoidable and has left family and friends of the deceased grieving."
“The driver of the other car struck in the collision, who required hospital treatment for extensive injuries, has had his life dramatically changed as well.”
The 27-year-old man is scheduled to appear in court on 19 November 2021. He will face three charges - culpable driving causing death, culpable driving causing grievous bodily harm and driving with a prescribed drug.
Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who has information about the collision, and who has not yet spoken with police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 6904853. Information can be provided anonymously.
Media enquiries
Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au