August 27, 2025

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Case Overview
The Coroner’s Court of Victoria has determined that Conan Smith, 37, deliberately caused a fatal crash on Willow Grove Road, Trafalgar, on April 14, 2024, which killed himself, his seven-year-old son Harley Galea-Smith, and their two pet dogs. Smith’s Subaru veered onto the wrong side of the road and collided head-on with a truck towing a cattle trailer. The finding revealed the act was intentional, following the death of Harley’s mother, Amy Galea, from cancer just three days earlier.

“I find that Harley James Smith died from multiple injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision in which he was the passenger.” — Coroner Audrey Jamieson

Location and Time

  • Crash Date: Sunday, April 14, 2024 (approximately 3:40 pm)
  • Location: Willow Grove Road, Trafalgar, Victoria

Vehicles Involved

  • Subaru sedan, driven by Conan Smith, carrying son Harley and two pet dogs
  • Truck with cattle trailer, travelling lawfully in the opposite direction

Fatalities and Injuries

  • Fatalities:
    • Conan Smith, 37, Longwarry, driver of Subaru, deceased at the scene.
    • Harley Galea-Smith, 7, passenger, deceased at the scene.
    • Two pet dogs travelling in the vehicle, deceased at the scene.
  • Injuries:
    • Truck driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital.

Coroner’s Findings

  • Smith deliberately crossed into the oncoming lane, colliding with the truck, in an intentional act to end his own life and his son’s.
  • In the hours before the crash, Smith set fire to his Longwarry home, leaving it extensively damaged.
  • He left a bag containing $6,000 with instructions for it to go toward his former partner’s funeral costs.
  • Toxicology showed Smith had a history of mental health struggles, including PTSD and depression, exacerbated by the recent death of Harley’s mother from cancer.
  • There was no warning to others that Smith intended to end his son’s life in this way.

Victim Impact
Harley was remembered as a “lovable, beautiful and cheeky boy” who loved toy trucks, cars, and his Sonic the Hedgehog toy. A roadside memorial at Trafalgar was filled with toys, flowers, and tributes from the community.

Community Impact
The tragedy devastated both Longwarry and Trafalgar communities. Residents mourned Harley’s death so soon after his mother’s passing, leaving family and friends to grieve a sequence of traumatic losses. The crash also caused significant disruption to Willow Grove Road, which remained closed for almost two days during investigations.

Next Steps
The coroner’s findings have formally closed the investigation, confirming the deaths were the result of an intentional act. Harley’s family has been offered condolences and support.