LSD identified in crash that killed Huonville cherry picker
A backpacker jailed for negligently causing his friend’s road death had taken a psychedelic drug before crashing, sending the car sliding down the main street of a regional town for 100m.
Police & Courts
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AN ITALIAN fruit picker jailed for negligently causing his friend’s road death had taken the psychedelic drug LSD before crashing at Huonville, a coroner says.
In his findings released Wednesday, Coroner Andrew McKee said fellow Italian national Alessandro Borchi, 21, died from traumatic head injuries during January 2018.
He said unlicensed driver Luca Papotto, then 30, lost control of the Subaru Outback he was driving, the back of the car fishtailing before sliding laterally for about 100m.
The car crashed into a telegraph pole on Main Street, with Mr Borchi tragically dying at the Royal Hobart Hospital three days later.
The two men had met working as cherry pickers in the Huon Valley while on working holiday visas, and were both staying at fruit pickers huts located at Lucaston.
Mr McKee said Mr Papotto’s blood tests revealed an alcohol reading of 0.169 along with levels of THC – the active ingredient found in cannabis – and LSD.
“There is no literature or research into what occurs if LSD, alcohol and cannabis are used prior to driving,” a report prepared for the coroner read.
“Suffice to say, individually each of these agents definitely has an impairment effect on driving. The overall net effect would be significant impairment on driving ability and performance.”
Papotto was jailed for two years and nine months, with a non-parole period of half that time, after pleading guilty to negligent driving causing death.
A transport inspector found both rear tyres had lost their tread and the left rear wheel nut was missing.
“Mr Borchi lost his life, a loss that has been keenly felt by his family,” Mr McKee said.
“This case is an example of the tragic consequences that flow from those who engage in acts of dangerous driving after consuming alcohol and illicit substances.”
Mr Borchi’s parents grief-stricken parents previously told the Supreme Court of Tasmania via a written statement that travelling to Australia had been a “dream come true” for their only child.
“Alessandro was a great man with a great heart,” they said.
“We are two parents without our only kid. Our hearts will never be healed.”
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