SA coroner’s findings in Jay Papworth inquest after he was killed in a crash while fleeing police

A coroner has ruled a motorcyclist was the “sole author of his death” after he was killed in a crash after fleeing from police while on drugs.

A young motorbike rider who crashed and died after a police officer attempted to pull him over was the “sole author of his death”, a coroner has determined.

Jay Wyliam Papworth rode the wrong way down Sturt Rd, Seacombe Gardens, which was deserted due to Covid-19 restrictions on November 19, 2020, and into the path of an oncoming bus.

His cause of death was investigated at a coronial inquest because it occurred during his attempted apprehension by police.

Police at the scene of the fatal crash on Sturt Rd, Seacombe Gardens, on November 19, 2020. Picture: Brenton Edwards

On Monday, Deputy State Coroner Ian White ruled Mr Papworth was the sole author of his death – influenced by a fear of the consequences of his encounter with SA Police and under the effects of drugs.
“His panicked decision to flee was followed by riding the Triumph in a manner dangerous

to the public up to the time of the collision where he was killed instantly,” Mr White said.

Mr White made no recommendations.

Jay Papworth. Picture: Supplied

Counsel assisting the coroner, Peter Longson, previously told the court Mr Papworth was trying to turn his life around after being released from custody about 20 days earlier, on October 30, 2020.

He said Mr Papworth, 23, was not the subject of any court orders at the time, but was later discovered to be riding unlicensed on a motorbike “too big”, and one he was unfamiliar with.

He had methamphetamine and cannabis in his system at the time of the crash.

After the crash police discovered the motorbike – which had a handwritten cardboard number plate – was stolen, but Mr Papworth could not have been involved in its theft because he was in custody at the time.

In his affidavit, the officer who tried to stop Mr Papworth, Brevet Sergeant Neil Hogg, said he “always try to speak to motorcycle riders who are wearing shorts” and had never before met Mr Papworth.

“I like to speak to them and try to educate them about their own safety and the dangers involved in riding motorcycles without the proper safety attire,” he said.

Sergeant Hogg activated his body-worn camera, which showed him exit his car and make an attempt to stop Mr Papworth as he left the carpark.

Mr Longson said that by the time the officer got back in his car, made a radio transmission and performed a U-turn, Mr Papworth had already crashed into the bus.

The court heard the officer was “was unaware that a collision had occurred” until he arrived at the scene, about 300m down the road.

Mr Papworth’s cause of death at autopsy was blunt head and chest trauma.

Mr Longson said Mr Papworth had been discussing quitting drugs prior to the crash.