Innocent Driver Killed in Tragic Red Light Crash
A coroner in the Australian Capital Territory has urged the government to consider new anti-red-light running technology after a distracted tow truck driver killed an innocent motorist. The tragic incident occurred on September 15, 2021, at the intersection of the Barton Highway and Gungahlin Drive.
Alistair Colin Forbes Urquhart, 45, died at the scene when a 22.5-tonne tow truck, driven by Jake Barrett, crashed into his Ford Falcon. Barrett had driven through a red light while travelling at approximately 79km/h. The impact was so severe that Mr Urquhart's vehicle was pushed into a Toyota LandCruiser, whose driver sustained serious injuries and required five days in intensive care.
Driver Sentenced After 'Not Fleeting' Inattention
Court proceedings revealed that Jake Barrett had his eyes down for up to 11 seconds before the collision, claiming he had heard an alarm in his truck cabin. In September 2023, Barrett pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death and grievous bodily harm.
Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson sentenced the then-29-year-old to a four-year jail term, suspended after 20 months. While the judge acknowledged the inattention was not "fleeting," she stated she did "not find it rises to a total abandonment of responsibility." Justice Loukas-Karlsson expressed her deep sympathy to the Urquhart family, noting that a sentence "cannot hope to reflect the value of human life." Barrett was expected to be released in May 2025 and placed on a three-year good behaviour order.
Coroner's Recommendation for Road Safety Technology
In findings published on November 26, 2025, Coroner Ken Archer identified a significant matter of public safety. He recommended that the ACT Attorney-General invite relevant road safety bodies to consider the outcomes of Queensland's 'Hold the Red' trial.
This innovative collision prevention system uses radar to detect vehicles likely to run a red light. When a risk is identified, it holds the opposing traffic lights on red to prevent cross-traffic from entering the intersection. "It is not clear whether this technology would have made a difference in respect of this accident. Much will depend on the calibration and sensitivity of the installed device," Mr Archer noted in his findings.
The coroner also examined other safety technologies, including autonomous emergency braking and fatigue detection systems, but did not make formal recommendations regarding them. He concluded that while Mr Urquhart's "senseless death" invites consideration of further regulation, Barrett was otherwise a responsible driver with no medical issues affecting his licence eligibility.
