Joshua Moore’s drinking and use of phone ‘contributory factors’ in crash that caused the death of policewoman Bria Joyce

A man filmed himself drinking a beer behind the wheel moments before causing a horror crash that claimed the life of a young police officer near Mildura.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton with Senior Constable Bria Joyce’s mother Dianne Joyce. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A drunk driver who killed a young police officer when his ute collided with her unmarked car had four minutes earlier filmed himself drinking a beer behind the wheel.

Senior Constable Bria Joyce, 25, died in a horrific crash in Red Cliffs, near Mildura, on April 8 last year when her car was hit head-on by mechanic Joshua Moore’s ute on Kulkyne Way.

Mr Moore also died in the collision, while Senior Constable Thomas Kinnane, 43, who was travelling in the car with Sen-Constable Joyce, was flown to hospital in a critical condition.

Coroner John Olle on Tuesday released his findings into Sen-Constable Joyce’s death, detailing how a three-second video recovered from Mr Moore’s phone captured him drinking a Carlton Dry beer at 9.50pm while driving.

Senior Constable Bria Joyce died in the horror crash at Red Cliffs. Supplied: Victoria Police

He found Mr Moore’s blood alcohol level – which was revealed to be 0.15 – and his use of a phone minutes before the fatal collision were “primary contributory factors” to his ute crossing to the wrong side of the road and impacting head-on with Sen-Constable Joyce’s car at 9.54pm.

He also found that unfamiliarity with Kulkyne Way could not be attributed as a causal factor, since Mr Moore’s family gave evidence he travelled on that road every week.

Mr Moore’s ex-partner of eight years told Coroner Olle that Mr Moore, who was not wearing a seatbelt the night he died, had previously crashed her Toyota Prado.

“Josh was one of the worst drivers I’ve ever seen,” she said.

Driver Joshua Moore had a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 at the time of the crash.

“He’s been in a lot of car accidents.

“He’s always driving and using Snapchat, he drinks and drives and doesn’t stay in his lane.”

Coroner Olle conveyed his sincere condolences to Sen-Constable Joyce’s family for their loss.

“I also convey my sincere condolences to all of Bria’s Victoria Police colleagues,” he said.

The Coroners Court heard the senior constable, who was found to have died from widespread fractures and internal injuries, competed in triathlons and participated in musical orchestras.

During the recent bushfires, she also sewed pouches to assist injured kangaroos.

Upon graduating from the police academy, she was stationed at Moonee Ponds prior to transferring to Mildura where she spent most of her time.

In October 2021, Sen-Constable Joyce became a member of Mildura Highway Patrol where she was serving at the time of her passing.

Sen-Constable Kinnane and Sen-Constable Joyce were patrolling together on April 8, having started their shifts at 6pm.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the coroner found a combination of drink driving and mobile phone use while driving contributed to the tragedy.

“Sadly, Victoria Police regularly sees such senseless behaviour in fatal collisions,” she said.

“In this case it cut short two lives, including one of our own.

“All loss of life on the roads is tragic, and our thoughts today are particularly with the family of Senior Constable Bria Joyce who was a much-loved member, serving the Mildura community.

“We also continue to support Leading Senior Constable Thomas Kinnane who sustained serious injuries in the collision.”

Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt last year said Sen-Constable Joyce’s passing sent “ripples through the entire force”.

“Your sacrifice can’t be measured,” he said.