Inquest into the Death of Anthony John BILICK
Inquest into the Death of Anthony John BILICK
Delivered on : 22 January 2018
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Deputy State Coroner
Recommendations :N/A
Orders/Rules : N/A
Suppression Order : Yes
No publication of the detail of the discussion about the police emergency driving policies and guidelines and procedures.
Summary : Shortly before his death the deceased had been attempting to evade police while riding a motorcycle at speed. The motorcycle had been reported stolen in October 2015 and was displaying a fabricated number plate. The deceased’s motorcycle collided with a vehicle and the deceased suffered serious injuries. He died a short time later in hospital. The deceased was 34 years of age.
It was a mandatory inquest under the provisions of the Coroners Act 1996 to enable the court to independently review the actions of the police officers involved in the circumstances which led to the death of the deceased.
On 6 February 2016 at approximately 10.35pm the deceased was riding the Ducati motorcycle along Scarborough Beach Road, Scarborough, when police travelling in a marked police vehicle noticed the motorcycle which appeared to be travelling at a higher speed than the vehicles around it. The motorcycle conducted a U-turn and the police vehicle also conducted a U-turn in order to obtain the registration details. The motorcycle accelerated away and the occupants of the police vehicle lost sight of the motorcycle.
When the motorcycle reappeared the police vehicle commenced to follow the motorcycle. The police vehicle initiated the police lights to indicate to the motorcycle rider the police wished him to stop. The police officers believed the rider was intending to comply with their request to stop and pull over, however, the motorcycle accelerated away. The police officers alerted POC they had attempted to stop the motorcycle which was now attempting to evade them. Police were instructed to cease any attempt to stop the motorcycle and in response turned off all of their emergency lights and sirens. The police vehicle continued in the same direction as the deceased at the posted speed limit and lost sight of the motorcycle.
The deceased turned onto West Coast Highway at speed and accelerated South. The motorcycle collided with a Toyota Tarago four door wagon as the Toyota vehicle was attempting to turn right at a median access. Despite prompt intervention with CPR the deceased arrested and could not be saved he died at the hospital later that night. The driver of the Toyota was also permanently injured in the crash.
The Deputy State Coroner was satisfied on the night of 6 February 2016 the deceased had consumed amphetamines and was intoxicated to the extent his judgement was impaired. The actions of the police officers were reasonable, lawful enforcement duties and had ceased prior to the crash. The deceased died as a result of injuries he received when the motorcycle he was riding impacted with the driver’s side of the Toyota Tarago, at speed.
The Deputy State Coroner found the deceased’s death occurred by way of Accident.
Catch Words : Pursuit Driving : Motorcycle : Accident
Last updated: 30-Apr-2019
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