Crash Investigation

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death among teenagers in the United States. The Colonial Regional Police Department is committed to reduce the number of traffic crashes through aggressive enforcement and proactive speed reduction techniques.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has divided motor vehicle crashes into two (2) categories; Reportable and Non-Reportable. A reportable crash is one in which either vehicle is damaged to an extent that cannot be driven from the scene or if any person is injured in the crash. Non-reportable crashes are all others. By statute only reportable crashes need to be reported to the police department. Involved persons in all crashes do, however, have a responsibility to exchange pertinent information.

The Colonial Regional Police Department responds to all crashes when requested. In 2007, officers responded to 988 crashes.

It is the policy of the Colonial Regional Police Department to have a trained Crash Reconstruction Officer respond to the scene of any motor vehicle crash that involve life threatening injuries or results in a fatality.

Currently, Colonial Regional Police Department has two (2) Certified Crash Reconstruction Officers, Sergeant John Harmon and Sergeant George Cuchran.

A Crash Reconstruction Officer has had advanced training in analyzing evidence at motor vehicle crash scenes with the focus on determining the causation of the crash. Training consists of four (4) crash investigation courses that are two (2) weeks in length. Additional schooling, which vary in length, train officers in areas concerning pedestrians, motorcycles, occupant kinematics (motion), etc. Additional specialized training is also given for certification in commercial vehicle accident reconstruction.

Upon arrival at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, the Crash Reconstruction Officer will photograph the scene to preserve any evidence. The Officer next roughly sketches the crash scene. During the scene sketch, the Officer is searching for evidence left on the roadway (skid marks, yaws (deviation of vehicle course), gouges, scrapes, roadway defects, etc.) followed by an examination of the vehicle itself for such evidence as mechanical failure, point of impact, paint transfer, etc. The Crash Reconstruction Officer interviews witnesses and parties involved in the crash to determine if there was operator error or a human factor that led to the crash (such as the possibility of driver fatigue, drugs, alcohol, driving inattention, sun glare, etc.)

All evidence is marked and secured in the Colonial Regional Police Department Evidence Room. A scale diagram of the crash scene is measured out and drawn which includes all evidence found at the crash scene.

The Reconstruction Officer will then utilize the evidence obtained at the crash scene and convert it into mathematical equations in an attempt to determine the cause of the crash and if the crash could have been avoided. These mathematical equations are based on proven formulas that are accepted in the scientific community as being accurate. Equations are used to determine vehicle speed, vehicle positioning and other aspects of the inducement of the crash.

A final report is made stating all of the findings and the Crash Reconstruction Officer’s conclusion(s) as to the facts of the crash and its cause(s).

A crash investigation can take approximately three (3) to five (5) hours on scene with the possibility of longer duration depending on how complicated the crash scene is and the difficulties in mapping the scene. An entire crash investigation can take several weeks or longer. This time does not include court preparation if charges have been filed.

There was one (1) fatal crash in 2007. The crash occurred in Hanover Township

Colonial Regional Police Crash Investigator Sergeant John Harmon and Sergeant George Cuchran responded to a fatal crash on December 10. The crash had occurred at the intersection of Crawford Drive and Southland Drive. Sergeant Cuchran is handling the investigation and it appears that the decedent was at fault and no prosecution will result.