An inquest has begun to determine whether a teenager with autism, who caused a crash resulting in the deaths of three family members in South Australia’s south-east, was fit to be driving at the time of the incident.
The inquest, led by Coroner Naomi Kereru, is looking into the deaths of Ned Walker, 80, his wife Nan Walker, 70, and their daughter Sue Skeer, 55, who were killed in a head-on collision on the Princes Highway at Suttontown in November 2020.
The 16-year-old driver, whose identity cannot be revealed due to his age at the time of the crash, was convicted of careless driving but acquitted of the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
Opening the inquest, counsel assisting the coroner, Martin Kirby, explained that the investigation would examine whether the teenager was fit to drive with a learner’s permit at the time. One key aspect under scrutiny is the learner’s permit application, particularly the question asking about any medical conditions, to which the teenager responded “no.” The inquest will explore whether his autism, ADHD, and Tourette’s syndrome should have been disclosed as medical conditions requiring further consideration before being granted a license.
The teenager’s mother testified that neither she nor her son believed his conditions affected his ability to drive. She stated, “I don’t believe he has any conditions that may impair his competency to drive… he passed his theory test well, he’s an extremely good driver. None of his conditions are severe enough to impair his competency.”
Mr. Kirby informed the court that the teenager had stopped taking his ADHD medication in May 2020, six months before the crash, without consulting his doctor. It is expected that Dr. Draham De Silva, who will testify in the inquest, will provide insights into how the teenager’s ADHD, autism, and Tourette’s syndrome may have impacted his ability to function, as well as the effect of stopping his medication.
The teenager’s mother explained that she had taken him off the medication due to his increasing aggression. Since the crash, he has started taking antidepressants but has not resumed his ADHD medication.
Family members of the victims expressed shock upon learning more about the teenager’s disabilities. Kerri-Lee Bromley, a relative of the victims, questioned whether the teenager should have been allowed to hold a license, saying, “We knew he had a disability, but to what extent we weren’t sure.” She also disagreed with claims that the teenager was a good driver, stating, “No one is perfect.”
The inquest is set to continue until Thursday.