Phillip Standage: Loved ones tell of ‘empty void’ as lack of clarity over death continues to haunt

Close friends of a Tasmanian man who died in late August after he was ejected from a vehicle in which he was passenger have expressed anguish that, four months on, questions remain unanswered.

Mowbray man Phillip James Standage, 36, who died when he was ejected from a vehicle driven by a 36-year-old Rocherlea woman that hit a power pole at Ravenswood on August 28, 2023. Picture: Facebook

Close friends of a Tasmanian man who died in late August after he was ejected from a vehicle that collided with a power pole have expressed anguish that, four months on, they have no clarity as to the outcome of the investigation.

Mowbray man Phillip Standage, 36, a father-of-three, died when the vehicle in which he was travelling as a passenger struck a power pole on Faraday St, Ravenswood, at about 3.23am on August 28, 2023.

Mr Standage, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.

The driver, a woman from the state’s North, was taken to the Launceston General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Her bloods were taken for analysis.

Speaking in the wake of Mr Standage’s death, Tasmania Police Inspector Craig Fox said it appeared as though the loss of life was “preventable”.

Fatal single-vehicle accident at Faraday St, Ravenswood, August 28, 2023. Picture: Alex Treacy

“Preliminary investigations into the cause of the accident are still ongoing but speed seems to be a factor and also the non-wearing of a seat belt,” Inspector Fox said.

In a statement provided on Tuesday, a Tasmania Police spokeswoman said that the investigation was at an “advanced stage”.

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“Crash investigations are complex and can take months due to the need to gather evidence, conduct forensic testing and scene examinations, seek out witnesses and conduct interviews,” she said.

“Police regularly update next of kin throughout crash investigations.

“It’s not appropriate to provide further comment in relation to this matter as investigations into the crash are ongoing.”

Mowbray man Phillip James Standage, 36, who died when he was ejected from a vehicle driven by a 36-year-old Rocherlea woman that hit a power pole at Ravenswood on August 28, 2023. Picture: Facebook

The Mercury has spoken to three close friends of Mr Standage, all of whom have shared the toll the uncertainty is taking on them.

Campbell Town woman Bec Blyth, who was previously in a relationship with Mr Standage and remained close with him after their separation, with ongoing attempts to revive the relationship, said the only thing keeping her sane was throwing herself into her work as an assistant manager at Subway.

“I’m not really coping with it,” she said.

Campbell Town woman Bec Blyth says she is "not coping" with uncertainty surrounding the investigation into her former partner Phillip Standage's last moments. Picture: Alex Treacy

Tina Cashion, one of Mr Standage’s best friends, said it was “horrible” watching the days elapse with no further news.

“We’ve all been left with this empty void,” Ms Cashion said.

“It just feels like because Phil had a past with the police, to a degree that he doesn’t matter.

“I hate the fact that it feels like that.

“I’m not saying that they [police] mean for it to be that way.”

Another best friend, who asked to be known as Jelina May, expressed similar feelings of concern that because of Mr Standage’s criminal record, the investigation was viewed as less urgent

“He’s still a human being and his life meant something,” she said.

The Tasmania Police spokeswoman denied Mr Standage’s criminal record had anything to do with how the investigation was being conducted.

Ms May said she intended to write to the Launceston office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to seek clarity on the status of the investigation (although it is the police who have the responsibility of charging defendants).