Discussion and Assignments

Module 8

Crash Scenario and Narrative key

Crash 9: EQUATIONS

October 6, 2015 at 2:49 AM. The weather is clear, and it is dark, lighted by street lamps. The roadway surface is dry. You were dispatched to motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Broadway 1500 feet south of Union Street Niop, SC. Broadway runs north to south, and Union Street runs east to west. The speed limit for both roadways is 25mph.

Upon arrival you locate one motor vehicle that has crashed into fire hydrant number 475. Vehicle one was south on Broadway Street. Operator Richard Ski states he was trying to get into parking lot across the street and jerked the wheel too fast. Vehicle one hit the fire hydrant. Ski reports he is not injured, just highly embarrassed.

Vehicle 1 Is a 2009 Acura TSX four-door color red. Plate number R.I. ACB431

VIN JH4UC66209B007854

Damage to the vehicle includes a broken front left spindle, and the vehicle is towed from the scene.

Upon interview you can smell the odor of alcoholic beverage coming from Operator Ski's breath. Operator Ski kept putting his hands in his pockets and acted extremely nervous. You conduct a Terry pat down of Ski for safety concerns. Upon patting down Operator Ski you find a hard cylinder container. This turns out to be a plastic container. Inside the container you locate a green leafy substance which was later identified as by a field test as marijuana.

You conduct field sobriety test on the accused on a clearing level area on Broadway. The results of the test are as follows.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus:

You observe Operator Ski is not wearing eyeglasses or contacts. Using tip of your pen you instruct Operator Ski to follow the stylus with his eyes and his eyes only, and not to move his head. You ask Operator Ski if he understands to instructions as you explained them and he replied yes. Operator Ski was able to follow your instructions and start the test only after you instructed him to begin. Operator Ski had equal pupils and even tracking. The accused not have resting nystagmus. You observe the following; Lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, onset of nystagmus prior to 45°.

Walk and turn test:

You explained and demonstrated the walking turn test to Operator Ski. Prior to having Operator Ski conduct the test, you ask if he has any medical issues that might prevent him from performing the test. Operator Ski stated he had no medical conditions. You instruct Operator Ski to place his right foot directly in front of his left foot on the level well-lit area of the street. You ask Operator Ski if he understands directions for the test, he indicates that he understands the directions for the test. Operator Ski started to begin the test without being told to do so. When Operator Ski started the test properly he failed to maintain heel to toe contact throughout the test. Operator Ski took 13 steps forward and 11 steps returning. The test was not completed as instructed. During the test you observe the following:

1. loses balance

2. incorrect number of steps

3. stops to steady self

4. starts to soon

5. turns incorrectly

One leg stand test: You explain and demonstrate the one leg stand test to the cues. Operator Ski told you he understands how to perform the test. You instruct Operator Ski how to begin the test. During the test you observe the following: number one.

1. Operator Ski raises his foot 3 to 4 inches off the ground

2. Sways while balancing

3. Puts foot down multiple times

At the scene, you locate 30 feet of skid marks leading up to the vehicle and the fire hydrant. Your Sergeant arrives on scene with a trainee and the two conduct a drag sled test of the pavement next to the skid mark. The results of which are as follows.

1. 34

2. 35

3. 34

4. 35

5. 36

6. 38

7. 34

8. 34

9. 35

10. 35

The weight of the drag sled is 50lbs.

You place Operator Ski under arrest based on the above and then placed in the back of your patrol vehicle and transported to the police department for processing without incident.

Operator Ski flatly refuses to submit to a breath test. Your supervisor witnesses the refusal on October 6, 2015 at 3:35 hrs.

The Public Water Company reports the cost to replace the hydrant is $500.00, and crew pay will be $800.00.

Operator info:

Richard Ski

Dob: 12/26/90

9 Corey Rd

Nonantic, RI 75444

R.I. op# RS357887

Rexar insurance 55564P

Based on the provided information complete a crash report, diagram, a narrative, and include the minimum speed of the vehicle Using the distance of the skid mark, the drag factor of the highway, and complete a time equation to report how quickly this crash happened.

Crash Narrative Key

Crash 9 - Example

V1 was south on Broadway. V1 drove off the road and hit city fire hydrant #475. No injuries were reported. V1 was towed from the scene.

OP#1 stated he was trying to turn into a parking lot across the street from the hydrant, when he jerked his wheel too fast. V1 hit the fire hydrant.

During this interview, this officer could smell the distinct odor of alcoholic beverages coming from OP#1. After OP#1 put his hands in his pockets several times, this officer patted OP#1 down for weapons. During this pat down, this officer located a cylindrical container in OP#1’s front left pocket. This container was found to contain suspected marijuana. Standardized Field Sobriety tests were conducted, the results of which are as follows:

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test: lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained jerkiness at maximum deviation, onset of jerkiness prior to 45 degrees.

Walk and Turn test: Lost balance, incorrect number of steps, stopped to steady self, started too soon, turned incorrectly.

One Leg Stand test: Raised foot only 3-4 inches off ground, swayed while balancing, put foot down multiple times.

Ski was placed into custody and transported to Police Headquarters where he was processed. Ski refused to submit breath samples to the department’s Intoxylizer 5000.

Based on the 30 feet of skid marks left by V1 leading up to hydrant 475 and determining the drag factor for this roadway is .7, this officer found V1’s minimum speed to 25.09mph from the beginning of the braking to the fire hydrant. The time between the initial braking and the collision is 1.63 seconds.

The Public Water Company representative reported the replacement cost for the hydrant is $1300.00.