WESTMEATH Coroner’s Court heard that driver distraction may have contributed to the tragic death of a motorist in a road accident that took place close on the N52 close to Dalystown in the autumn of last year.
A formal inquest, which took place last week in Mullingar heard testimony that a fatal collision claimed the life of a young man who was looking forward to planning his wedding, having recently gotten engaged to a girl he “idolised.”
PHONE MESSAGES
Coroner for Westmeath, Dr. Wilfred Hoover presided over the court which heard that Gerard O’Callaghan, from Belvedere Hills, Mullingar, died in a fatal road collision on 23 September, 2015. Forensic examination showed that shortly before the impact, a number of messages had been sent from the deceased driver’s phone and one attempt to send a message had failed, possibly due to poor mobile signal.
In this tragic case, the Coroner returned a verdict that death was due to misadventure, having heard evidence that the two vehicles involved were well maintained and roadworthy at the time of the accident.
Witness accounts and forensic analysis following the fatality indicated that mobile phone usage close to the time of the accident may have been a source of distraction to the deceased driver.
TESTIMONY
A witness account was provided by Patrick O’Connor, a truck driver, who was the other party involved in the collision. Mr. O’Connor stated that he was making deliveries on the day of the accident, and at Dalystown, as he approached Tyrrellspass, he saw a black car approaching from the opposite side. The car crossed the road into his lane. He said the driver was looking down at the bonnet of his car and that he saw something white around the steering wheel. Mr. O’Connor stopped accelerating and attempted evasive action but to no avail. He said that after the collision, he got out and passersby stopped to offer assistance.
Emergency services were called but Mr. O’Callaghan was pronounced dead at the scene.
FORENSIC
EXAMINATION
Garda William Walsh, a PSV Inspector, gave evidence to the inquest of the examinations he carried out on both of the vehicles involved in the collision. He stated that both were well maintained and would have been in a roadworthy condition pre collision.
Garda Brendan Minnock stated that he had attended the scene of the fatality and a mobile phone belonging to the deceased driver, Gerard O’Callaghan, which was white in colour, was recovered.
He said there had been an attempt to send a message from the phone minutes before the time of the collision. He said this message had not sent but there were a number of messages sent from the phone close to the same time.
The court also heard testimony that driving conditions on the day were good, there was excellent visibility and the stretch of road was straight and dry.
Garda Paul Monaghan, Forensic Collision Investigator, gave a deposition to the inquest, stating that he had carried out a detailed examination of the preserved scene at Dalystown. His findings were that both drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the moment of impact and the truck driver would not have had time to react.
Mr. O’Callaghan’s colleague Gerry Wallace, an Insurance Consultant stated that on the day of the tragedy, the deceased had left work early, complaining of feeling ill.
“He (Gerard) idolised his fiancée. He had recently become engaged and was looking forward to planning his wedding,” Mr. Wallace told the court.
POSSIBLE DISTRACTION
Dr. Hoover, in assessing all of the testimony given to the inquest asked if driver distraction could have played a part in the collision.
Garda Minnock stated that it could have been the case that Mr. O’Callaghan had pulled over when sending the messages from his phone.
“We cannot say he was driving when sending the messages; he could have been parked,” said Garda Minnock.
“There is no proof that this was a factor but it could have been a distraction.
When considering the account of the other driver that Mr. O’Callaghan did not make eye contact, that there was something white at the steering wheel,” the Coroner said.
Dr. Charles D’Adhemar read the findings of his Pathologist’s report into evidence, stating that death was due to injuries consistent with being involved in a road traffic accident.
In returning a verdict of misadventure, Dr. Hoover extended his sympathies to the bereaved, which were seconded by the jury panel and inspector Jarlath Folan on behalf of An Garda Síochána.
