Western Australian police are investigating the death of a woman who became unresponsive after being stopped during a roadside random breath-testing operation near Geraldton.

The incident occurred shortly before 7pm on Monday, 19 October 2026, on Brand Highway in Mount Tarcoola, a suburb on the outskirts of Geraldton, approximately 400 kilometres north of Perth.

According to police, officers were conducting routine breath testing when they stopped the woman, who was in her 50s. She completed the testing process and was issued a driving prohibition notice before being released from custody.

Medical emergency after the stop Police said the woman began experiencing a medical problem shortly after the roadside interaction ended.

Officers reportedly offered assistance, but she initially declined. As a precaution, police contacted St John WA for medical support.

The woman subsequently became unresponsive. Officers administered first aid while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

St John WA transported her to Geraldton Regional Hospital under priority-one conditions. She arrived shortly after 8.20pm but was later declared dead.

Authorities have not publicly established the cause of death. The available reporting does not indicate whether the medical emergency was connected to the breath-testing procedure or resulted from another underlying cause.

Internal investigation launched Western Australia Police confirmed the death is being treated as a death in police presence. The force’s Internal Affairs Unit is overseeing the investigation in accordance with police procedures.

The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the roadside stop, the sequence of events after the woman was released, the assistance offered by officers and the emergency medical response.

A report will be prepared for the coroner, who may consider the medical evidence and other relevant information to establish the circumstances and cause of death. What authorities have said Police have confirmed that officers attempted to provide assistance and administered first aid after the woman became unresponsive. However, investigators have not yet released a complete account of the medical episode.

No conclusion about responsibility or the cause of death should be drawn before the investigation is completed. The internal review and coronial process are intended to establish the facts and determine whether any further action is necessary.