Nicholas Williams, Shaun Ross: New report into Somerset drink driving deaths of young workmates

A Tasmanian coroner has again found that young lives have been needlessly lost on the state’s roads, her latest report capturing the last few hours of two workmates in the North-West.

The scene of the double fatal rollover at Somerset, March 11, 2022. Picture: Alex Treacy

Despite “prominent and repetitive public campaigns aimed at preventing drink driving,” Tasmanians continue to take fatal risks, with at least 16 people losing their lives since 2018 in the familiar way.

Coroner Olivia McTaggart, releasing her report into the March 11, 2022 drink driving deaths of work colleagues Nicholas Williams, 20, of Wynyard, and Shaun Ross, 27, of Somerset, said the loss of life was “tragic and preventable”.

“Unfortunately, despite prominent and repetitive public campaigns aimed at preventing drink driving, similar deaths continue to occur,” she said.

“Tasmanian coronial records show that in the last five years between 2018 and 2023, excessive consumption of alcohol has been the main contributory factor in the deaths of 16 people in motor vehicle crashes.

20-year-old Nicholas Williams of Wynyard, who died in a vehicle rollover with colleague Shaun Ross, 27, on Friday, March 11, 2022. Picture: Facebook

“This loss of life, as well as the lives of other lawful road users, has far-reaching consequences for the community as a whole.”

Mr Williams and Mr Ross, who died at approximately 9.45pm on Seabrook Rd at Somerset when Mr Williams lost control of his Toyota LandCruiser utility.

Both had blood-alcohol concentrations of more than 0.2 per cent – more than four times the legal driving limit.

Somerset man Shaun Lindsay William Ross, 27, who died on March 11, 2022 in a motor vehicle accident. Picture: Facebook

“The degree of driving impairment at this blood alcohol level is extremely high and the risk of being involved in a crash is approximately 50 times that of a driver who has consumed no alcohol,” Ms McTaggart said.

According to Ms McTaggart’s report, the pair, who worked together at The Engineering Company, finished work at 1pm and went to the Somerset Hotel, where they “consumed large quantities of alcohol, including spirits, until about 9pm”.

The scene of the double fatal rollover at Somerset, March 11, 2022. Picture: Alex Treacy

“During the evening, they made a plan to go to the house of a friend in Yolla. Due to their state of intoxication, a friend at the hotel who had not consumed alcohol offered to drive them but they declined the offer,” she said.

“About one hour before they actually left, they called a taxi. However, due to their delay in entering the waiting taxi, the taxi driver left without them.

Follow @humidityreport

“The sober friend again offered to drive them home (or possibly even to their intended destination) but they decided to travel to Yolla in Mr Williams’ Toyota LandCruiser flat tray utility that was parked at the hotel.

“Mr Williams was driving, with Mr Ross a front seat passenger. Both Mr Williams and Mr Ross did not have their seat belts fastened at any time.”

The pair had driven approximately 5.9km when, approaching the intersection of Seabrook and Frenchs roads, Mr Williams lost control.

Mr Williams was ejected from the vehicle while Mr Ross remained inside, but suffered extensive neck and chest injuries.

Both men were deceased when emergency services arrived.