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 involves life threatening injuries or results in a fatality.

Currently, Colonial Regional Police Department has 1(one) Certified Crash Reconstruction Officer, Sergeant John Harmon. Sergeant George Cuchran has attended classes to become a certified Crash Reconstruction Officer.

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 were two (2) fatal crashes in 2006; both were in Hanover Township

Colonial Regional Police Crash Investigator Sergeant John Harmon responded to a car vs. utility crane truck on October 27 at 09:28 hours. The crash had occurred on Airport Road just north of Innovation Way. The car had crossed the center line and collided head-on with the truck. The rear seat passenger in the car was fatally injured in the crash. Charges are pending against the driver of the car pending the results of a blood toxicology tests for prescription/illegal drugs.

 

Colonial Regional Police Crash Investigator Sergeant John Harmon responded to a motorcycle vs. an SUV on October 30 at 17:11 hours. The crash had occurred at the intersection of Schoenersville Road and Statten Avenue. The motorcycle was traveling northbound on Schoenersville Road at a high rate of speed and struck the SUV that was crossing the roadway from the Westgate Mall to Statten Avenue. The motorcycle struck the SUV with such force that it rolled the SUV onto it’s side. The operator of the motorcycle was thrown into the back seat of the SUV and died of blunt force trauma. Bethlehem City Police Department assisted CRPD with the accident scene. The motorcycle operator was at fault and no charges are pending against the driver of the SUV.