Discussion and Assignments

Module 7

Crash Investigation Assignments

Crash 1:

At 1:00pm on April 7, 2018, you are dispatched to a two-car crash at the corner of West Main Street and Asylum Street Aspen, Colorado. Dispatch reports no reported injuries; minor damage and the vehicles have moved into an adjacent parking lot. Upon arrival, you locate the operators in the parking lot, exchanging information. You confirm no injuries, collect the necessary information for the vehicles and occupants and begin your investigation.

West Main Street runs east to west, and Asylum Street runs north to south. West Main Street has two travel lanes in each direction, and Asylum Street has one travel lane in each direction. There is a traffic light covering all roads in this intersection. It is sunny, about 65 degrees, the roadway is dry and debris free and traffic is moderate. The speed limit for West Main Street is 35mph and the sped limit for Asylum Street is 25mph.

Michael Smith (date of birth 12/5/65 of 22 Asylum Street Aspen, CO) reports he was standing in the southwest corner of the intersection, waiting for the ‘walk sign’ signal for him to cross the street. Smith saw the blue Ford Fiesta make a left-hand turn from West Main Street westbound, onto Asylum Street southbound. Smith watched as the Fiesta was hit by the Chevy

Operator Mary Jones stated she was traveling in the left-hand travel lane of West Main Street westbound, driving her Ford Fiesta. Mary stopped at the intersection to make a left hand turn onto Asylum Street. Mary did not see any traffic coming eastbound and made the left-hand turn. Mary was hit by the Chevy. Mary was shaken up but refused any medical attention.

Operator Sally Plains reports she was west in the right travel lane of West Main Street eastbound in her Chevy. Sally intended to continue east on West Main Street. Sally looked back at her daughter, Karen (dob 05/22/2016), sitting in the middle of the backseat, in a child safety seat. Sally looked back to the road and saw a blue car turning in front of her.

You examine the vehicles and see there is a dent in the right passenger door of the Fiesta and the bumper of the Malibu is hanging off the car. No airbags are deployed, and both vehicles look operable.

You collect the necessary information from the operators, occupants and for the vehicles. Mary and Sally both state they were wearing their la and shoulder belts when the crash occurred.

Complete the Aspen Crash form and a narrative reporting your investigations and your conclusions. List the operator and vehicle who you, based on your investigation, conclude who is responsible for this crash as Operator #1 (OP1) and Vehicle #1 (V1). Draw a legible diagram of the scene.

Mary Jones

dob: 01/12/1973

321 West Main Street apartment 7

Aspen, Colorado 81611

Colorado operators number C123789

2010 Ford Fiesta 4-door color blue

VIN: 3FPAD4AJ4MH117400

CO registration: AH23DP

Corporal Insurance policy # P1P23456AD

Sally Plains

dob: 12/20/1989

99 Roath Street

Denver, Colorado 81622

Colorado operators number C987564

2012 Chevy Malibu 4-door color red

VIN 1G15VDST3FJ101122

Colorado registration 342AHP

Bottomline Insurance TP34587

Crash 2:

On November 15, 2017 at approximately 6:00pm, you are assigned to investigate a car versus telephone pole on Town Street at the corner of Sholes Avenue in Norwickton, Wisconsin. It has been raining all day. It is dark, but the area is lit by street lamps. The speed limit on Town Street is 25mph. Town Street runs north and south, and Sholes Avenue is a side street off Town Street, starting on the eastside of Town Street.

Upon arrival, you locate one car, with its passenger side impacted into Aspen Utilities pole #345, which I s located in the northwest corner of the intersection. The occupants are still in the vehicle. You see the Dodge Avenger’s passenger side airbags have deployed, and the front seat passenger, is complaining his chest is hurting. EMS and fire arrive on scene and end up cutting the top of the vehicle off to extract the front seat passenger from the car. Aspen Utilities arrive on scene to assess the damage to the utility pole. The front seat passenger is transported to Aspen General Hospital for an emergency medical evaluation. The paramedic on scene reports to you the chest pain is probably from the seatbelt locking up at time of impact.

Thomas Franz comes out of his house and states he witnessed the whole crash. Thomas tells you he was watching the evening news when he heard a loud bang. Thomas looked out his window and saw the Dodge had impacted with the telephone pole. Thomas called 9-1-1.

You interview the operator of the Dodge Avenger, Kevin Woodland. Kevin states he and his roommate were coming home from work, southbound on Town Street when he sped up to beat the yellow light at the intersection of Town Street and Case Street. Case Street is a side street off Town Street, starting on the west side of Town Street, approximately 100 feet north of Sholes Avenue. Kevin said the Avenger lost traction and slide into the utility pole. Kevin tells you his passenger is Michael Reds and his date of birth is 08/18/1990. Kevin is a little excited and tells you how lucky he was not to be injured as he forgot to put on his seatbelt. Kevin refuses any medical examination by the EMS personnel on scene.

You collect the necessary information from the operator and for the vehicle. The utility company foreman reports the utility pole is intact and will not be replaced. The foreman comments on how he was lucky no extra work had to be put in replacing the pole because he is leaving for the Caribbean the next day, but the call-in rate at $200.00 will help to offset his travel costs.

Complete the Aspen Crash form and a narrative reporting your investigations and your conclusions. Draw a legible diagram of the scene. Do you use Thomas’ statement? Why or why not?

Kevin Woodland

dob: 06/15/1990

88 Sturtevant Road

Norwickton, Wisconsin 89908

Wisconsin operators number KW5678933

2000 Dodge Avenger 4 door sedan, color yellow

VIN: 1D3DB4FB1NB564261

Wisconsin registration NOR104

Cutrate Insurance policy number CR765PP

CRASH 3:

On May 1, 2017 at 1200pm, you are dispatched to a two car crash the intersection of North Court Street and Route 12 Cape Cart, North Carolina. It is cloudy, and the roadway is dry. North Court Street runs relatively north to south, and comes into Route 12, which runs north to south, at a 45-degree angle. Route 12 is through traffic, while North Court Street has a stop sign where it connects to Route 12. The speed limits on both roads is 25mph.

Upon arrival, all parties involved claim they are not injured. You examine the vehicles and see there is minor damage to the right side of the Ford Ranger where the Nissan Sentra sideswiped it. The Nissan Sentra has corresponding damage to its left side. There is no airbag deployment, as these vehicles are too old to have airbags. The total of four occupants are walking around the scene, looking at the damage. You direct both operators to move their vehicles out of the roadway.

The passenger in the front right seat of the Ford Ranger, Bradley Fourney, bends down to look under the pickup, climbs into the bed of the truck and then jumps down. Approximately 5 minutes after he does this, Bradley asks for an ambulance because his neck hurts. When asked, Bradley states he was looking at his cell phone when the crash occurred and did not see it happen. Bradley hands you his driver’s license before leaves in the ambulance for an emergency medical evaluation.

As you collect the necessary information for the occupants and vehicles, you interview each.

The operator of the Ford Ranger, Neil Ginger, states he was north on North Court Street, intending to merge onto Route 12 and continue north. Neil stopped for the stop sign, looked both ways and entered the intersection. The Nissan Sentra hit his vehicle. Neil does not remember if Bradley had his seat belt on and can not remember taking his off, but states he always wears his.

The operator of the Nissan stated she, Denise Cardoza, was north on Route 12 when her car was struck by the Ford. The passenger of the Nissan, Peter Eastwood tells you he was sitting in the rear seat, left side seat because he gets car sick if he sits on the right side of the car. Peter give a similar verbal statement as the operator of his vehicle. Denise stated she had her lap belt on and Peter states he never wears a seatbelt, because he heard you could be trapped in a vehicle after a crash if you wore it.

Complete the Aspen Crash form and a narrative reporting your investigations and your conclusions. List the operator and vehicle who you, based on your investigation, conclude who is responsible for this crash as Operator #1 (OP1) and Vehicle #1 (V1). Draw a legible diagram of the scene.

Denise Cardoza

dob: 10/10/1992

82 Gold Road

Cape Cart, NC 77711

North Carolina operator’s license 43476

1997 Nissan Sentra 4 door, color Tan

VIN: 1N45GH8281HG66550

North Carolina plate number 456HGF

Easy Insurance policy number EZ9TO5

Peter Eastwood

dob: March 13, 1986

52 Spring Street

Pinetar, NC 77871

Neil Ginger

dob: 02/13/1962

44 Foulers Street

Postalpoint, NC 76533

North Carolina operators #NG6532

1994 Ford Ranger, pickup, color black

VIN: 1F1234MS9912G3456

North Carolina marker plate C6645

Pinnacle Tree insurance 678PT999

Bradley Fourney

dob: 7/4/1987

58 Glezen Street

Overlook, NC 76522

Crash 4:

It is August 23, 2017 at 4:00am. You are dispatched to a traffic crash at the intersection of Route 31 and Kreag Road Bushnellport, New York. Route 31 runs north to south and Kreag Road runs westbound only off the westside of Route 31. The speed limit of Route 31 is 40mph and the speed limit of Kreag Road is 35mph. The sky is clear, and the traveled portion of the road is dry. The intersection is controlled by a traffic control signal, and this is a well-lit area. Upon arrival you confirm there are no injuries. There are no witnesses to the crash and there are no surveillance cameras in this area. You locate both vehicles on the side of Kreag Road.

The operator of the green Mazda 626, Robert Hill, states he was stopped at the stop light of Route 31 southbound, when he felt a bump and saw other vehicle, a grey Toyota Celica, had rear ended his car. Hill stated he did not see any damage to his vehicle but wanted a crash report because he wanted to have the undercarriage to his vehicle checked out.

The operator of the Celica, Penelope Shorad, reports she was south on Route 31, drove up behind the Mazda, and stopped behind the Mazada at the red light. Penelope was on her way to work and was applying lipstick at the red light. Penelope had dropped the lipstick and when she went to pick it up, her foot came off of the brake pedal and she rolled into the Mazda. Penelope did not see what the big deal was, there was not damage to either vehicle and she did not want to be late for work.

Both operators report having both their lap and shoulder belts fastened at the time of the crash.

What would you do in this situation? Would you complete a crash report? If not, why? If so why?

Complete the Aspen Crash form and a narrative reporting your investigations and your conclusions. List the operator and vehicle who you, based on your investigation, conclude is responsible for this crash as Operator #1 (OP1) and Vehicle #1 (V1). Draw a legible diagram of the scene.

If you would not complete a traffic crash investigation, completed the Aspen crash form, a brief narrative of why you would not complete a crash investigation, and draw a legible diagram of the scene.

Robert Hill

dob: 05/31/1938

325 Glider Way

Bushnellport, New York 50144

New York operator’s license #RD053138

2005 Mazda 626, 4 door color Orange

VIN: 1HVYP825D55M27546

New York plate number ILE575

Fairford Insurance policy 45DUN12

Penelope Shord

dob: 04/16/47

82 Brentwood Avenue

Pencilfield, New York 53217

New York operator’s license # PS041647

1983 Plymouth Horizon, 2 door color Beige

VIN: 2KER124KL37658123

New York plate number XZP766

Alliance Insurance 081418

Crash number 5:

May 6, 2015 at 6:26pm. The weather is clear, the roadway surface is dry, and the light conditions are dusk. You were dispatched to a traffic crash at Laurel Hill Boulevard 400 feet west of Laurel Mountain Road Surf City North Carolina. Laurel Hill Blvd runs east to west. Upon arrival you locate the owner of vehicle number two, Raymond Lahand of 495 Laurel Hill Blvd., Apt. 5 K. Vehicle number two is in a parking lot, with the front of the vehicle facing to the south and the rear of the vehicle to the north. The damage to vehicle number to is a dented right front door. Lahand reports seeing a Ford Mustang drive into his vehicle and flee the scene. Lahand reports the plate is North Carolina registration 182N2. You run this plate in find a 1986 Mustang color green (VIN 2FM787543TBY56709) out of Laura Hill Blvd., Apt. 20 1K Surf City, NC 828217u.

You locate the vehicle in the owner/operator, Melissa Michaelson in front of 495 Laurel Hill Blvd. 20 1K. Michaelson date of birth January 5, 1985 is still in the vehicle. Michaelson hands you a North Carolina ID only card, MM00811, and tells you she does not have a valid driver’s license in any state. Michaelson admits to trying to pull into a parking space, north to south, next to vehicle number two, and hitting the right front door of vehicle number two with the front left corner of the Mustang. You observe minor damage to the front bumper of the Mustang. Upon interview, you smell the distinct odor of alcohol on her breath. When asked Michaelson reports that she had had several drinks after work before driving home. You conduct field sobriety test and the results are as follows:

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test:

Michaelson is not wearing contacts and does not have glasses on. She reports she can see the tip of your ballpoint pen. Michaelson was told to follow the tip of the ballpoint pen with her eyes only. During this time, you observe Michaelson has equal pupil size the tracking in both her eyes. Michaelson’s eyes appear to be bloodshot. You observe lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes. You observe distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes. You observe a distinct nystagmus prior to the onset of 45° in both eyes.

Walk and turn test:

You ask Michaelson if she has any medical issues with her legs ankles or knees. Michaelson reports that she does not.

The following this was observed during the test:

1. Michaelson started to soon

2. No heel to toe

3. Steps off-line

4. Stops to steady self

5. Turned in correctly

6. Michaelson never places both feet directly in front of each other

7. Michaelson

8. completed the nine steps in one direction then waited before making her turn she had to be re-instructed to take nine steps back in the opposite direction

One leg stand test:

You explain and demonstrate the one leg stand test to Michaelson.

The following was observed during the test:

1. put her foot down

2. Uses arms for balance

3. Michaelson did not look at her foot while counting and had to be re-instructed to do so

4. When she did her foot touch the ground three times

5. She raised her arms over 6 inches during the test

At the Police Department Michaelson was advised of her rights and read the implied consent advisory. Michaelson submitted to breast samples the first which showed .1795 and the second which showed .1713.

Vehicle number two was parked, unoccupied, at the time of this crash. Michaelson was uncooperative regarding seatbelt usage at the time of this crash. Michaelson report she was not injured.

Vehicle #2

2008 Honda Civic 4-door, color gray

North Carolina plate 944JTV.

1HTBA16558L038500

Insurance DOT P123PT.

Insurance for vehicle number one: Gtech insurance company 51523

Crash 6:

November 10, 2015 4:23 PM. The weather is clear, the roadway is dry, it is daylight. You were dispatch to the intersection of Rhode Street and North Main Street in Bean Hill, Connecticut. Rhode Street runs east to west, stopping on the west side of North Main Street, and North Main Street runs north to south. The speed limit for both roads is 25mph. Upon arrival you locate vehicle number one, a 2006 Chevy Malibu 4 door sedan, color green with Connecticut registration, 3RRAF1. This vehicle is driven by Nancy Spain, date of birth February 7, 1991 of 101 Occum Road Bean Hill, Connecticut 12001, driver’s license number NS06360. You locate pedestrian number one, Jack Johnson date of birth October 20, 1965 of 54 West Main Street Bean Hill, Connecticut sitting on the side of the road. Witness Michelle Domo approaches your cruiser upon arrival.

Witness Domo reports she observed pedestrian Johnson stumbling around along the roadway singing to himself. As vehicle number one made a right turn from Rhode Street onto North Main Street, pedestrian Johnson stepped in front of vehicle number one. Vehicle number one hit pedestrian Johnson and pedestrian Johnson fell to the ground. Witness Domo then called the police. Domo is from 2 Rhode Street Bean Hill, CT and her date of birth is April 23, 1993. When asked, Witness Domo stated she was in her living room, looking out at Rhode Street when this crash occurred. You verified Witness Domo’s view of the crash as you stepped inside and looked out through the living room picture window.

Operator vehicle number one - Spain, reports she was south on North Main Street, making a right turn onto North Main Street when the man walked out in front of her on Rhode Street. Operator of vehicle number one reports she is not injured but was not wearing her seatbelt when the crash occurred. Vehicle one has damage to its front license plate holder.

Pedestrian Johnson reports he is not injured and refused medical attention. Pedestrian Johnson reports he has been drinking vodka all day and thinks that he walked into the car as it passed him on North Main Street.

Vehicle one VIN: 1G1TZ5XF7E2167108

Cut rate insurance 56700

Without applying any enforcement action, please report this crash using the Aspen University crashed form, a diagram, and a narrative.