A Canberra father's plan to leave his car safely after a night of drinking ended in tragedy when he chose to drive, a decision that cost him his life. Coroner Ken Archer has published the findings of an inquest into the death of 44-year-old removalist Joseph Junior Suwedi, who died in a high-speed crash in Watson in the early hours of February 21, 2023.
The night that ended in disaster
Joseph Suwedi had consumed eight pints of beer at a venue in Dickson before the fatal incident. Coroner Archer's report, released on December 4, 2025, details that Mr Suwedi had initially parked his car nearby with the clear intention of collecting it the following morning.
However, after venue staff approached him twice because he appeared to be sleeping in his chair and offered him water, he left the premises and got behind the wheel. A friend who was with him made the safe choice and departed in a taxi.
A catastrophic loss of control
Driving his Volkswagen Passat station wagon on Antill Street in Watson, Mr Suwedi was travelling at a dramatically excessive speed. A police investigation calculated that his average speed on the road, which has a 60km/h signposted limit, was 97.38km/h.
He lost control of the vehicle, which then clipped the metal pole of a bus stop sign, mounted the kerb, and slammed into a tree. The crash was so loud it woke a nearby resident, who immediately called emergency services. Despite their efforts, Mr Suwedi was pronounced dead at the scene.
Coroner's findings and a plea for public awareness
Coroner Ken Archer stated he chose to publish these findings to provide an accessible record of road accident deaths in the Australian Capital Territory. "It is in the public interest to better facilitate consideration of road safety issues," he said.
The inquest confirmed the car was in good condition, the road was well-maintained, and the weather was dry at the time. A toxicology report conclusively showed Mr Suwedi was significantly intoxicated by alcohol at the time of his death.
While no direct matters of public safety arose from the investigation, Coroner Archer has referred his findings to Access Canberra. This referral is to review any potential licensing issues related to the Dickson venue Mr Suwedi attended that night.
The coroner extended his sincere condolences to Joseph Suwedi's family and apologised for the delay in finalising the inquest. This case continues a series of recent published findings by Coroner Archer aimed at shedding light on the causes of fatal road incidents in the region.
Support is available: If this story raises concerns for you or someone you know, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, beyondblue on 1300 224 636, or the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
