An inquest is underway to determine whether a learner driver responsible for a head-on collision that claimed three lives near Mount Gambier should have been permitted to drive. The focus of the initial hearing highlighted the mother’s role in neglecting to disclose her son’s medical conditions during his licence application process.
The tragic incident involved 16-year-old learner driver, diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and Tourette’s syndrome, who lost focus while driving, resulting in the deaths of Ned and Nan Walker and their daughter, Suzanne Skeer. The inquest revealed that the teenager had answered “no” to questions about medical conditions when applying for his licence, despite the conditions requiring attention.
His mother stated to the Coroner that they both believed his conditions were not severe enough to hinder his driving ability. Compounding the issue, the teenager had ceased medication for his ADHD months prior without medical advice. Furthermore, a GP who evaluated him before the crash was unaware that he held a learner’s permit.
This inquest aims to investigate the responsibilities surrounding licence approval and the disclosure requirements for his mother and healthcare providers regarding his medical status.