Coroner's Finding: Hammersley, Owen

MAGISTRATES COURT of TASMANIA

CORONIAL DIVISION Record of Investigation into Death (Without Inquest) Coroners Act 1995 Coroners Rules 2006 Rule 11 I, Simon Cooper, Coroner, having investigated the death of Owen Robert Hammersley Find, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Coroners Act 1995, that a) The identity of the deceased is Owen Robert Hammersley; b) Mr Hammersley died as a result of injuries sustained by him as driver in a single motor vehicle crash. At the time of the happening of the crash Mr Hammersley was affected by alcohol; c) The cause of Mr Hammersley’s death was multiple blunt force injuries; and d) Mr Hammersley died, aged 20 years, on 8 August 2024 at Lalla, Tasmania.

In making the above findings, I have had regard to the evidence gained in the investigation into Mr Hammersley’s death which includes:

• Police Report of Death for the Coroner;

• Affidavits confirming identity;

• Report – Dr Rebecca Irvine, Forensic Pathologist;

• Report – Forensic Science Service Tasmania;

• Records – Ambulance Tasmania;

• Medical Records;

• Affidavit – Robert Hammersley, sworn 17 November 2024;

• Affidavit – Matthew Hammersley, sworn 17 November 2024;

• Affidavit – Renaye Murphy, sworn 23 August 2024;

• Affidavit – Constable Joshua Taylor, sworn 6 November 2024;

• Affidavit – Senior Constable Naomi Davey, Crash Investigation Services, sworn 5 March 2025;

• Affidavit – Senior Constable Todd Paeglitis, Forensic Services, sworn 22 December 2024 (and scene photographs);

• Affidavit - Sergeant Scott McKinnell, sworn 8 October 2024 (and drone footage);

• Affidavit – Transport Safety and Investigation Officer Casey Perkins, sworn 2 October 2024; and

• Forensic evidence, body worn camera and CCTV footage.

Mr Hammersley lost control of his Nissan Navara Ute after he failed to negotiate a lefthand bend on Lalla Road. He collided with a tree and suffered massive, catastrophic and unsurvivable injuries. At the time of the crash, he was driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.149 g of alcohol per 100 mL of blood.

Speed was probably a contributing factor.

There is no evidence of the involvement of any other person in the crash. There were no defects on the road surface, obstacles or environmental factors (including weather) which could have caused or contributed to the happening of the crash.

Mechanical defect did not cause or contribute to the happening of the crash either.

Yet again, and tragically, a young person has died on our roads as a result of driving after consuming a considerable amount of alcohol.

Comments and Recommendations The circumstances of Mr Hammersley’s death are not such as to require me to make any comments or recommendations pursuant to Section 28 of the Coroners Act 1995.

I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr Hammersley.

Dated: 29 September 2025 at Hobart, in the State of Tasmania.

Simon Cooper Coroner