Investigations of deadly crashes in SC a painstaking process

In the weeks after a deadly automobile collision, families are often left with questions about how and why the wreck happened – spurring irritation over the seemingly prolonged investigation process.

In recent months, the Pee Dee has seen a string of fatal pedestrian hit-and-run cases, as well as multiple deadly car crashes. All were investigated in a similar manner, using surveying equipment to detail the scene for accident recreation.

State and local officials say even though the process can seem lengthy, the technology allows far fewer errors and makes investigations more expedient and thorough than before.

MAIT Team

A major player in deadly vehicle collisions is the South Carolina Highway Patrol’s Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team, or MAIT. Departments across the state that don’t have the necessary equipment to investigate a wreck scene can call on the expertise of the team.

Highway Patrol Cpl. Sonny Collins said the team details each collision site, taking note of the smallest detail, to determine how the wreck occurred and go much deeper than standard crash site investigation.

“They’ll take forensic samples, look at things like angles of skid marks or the color of paint in certain parts of the scene,” he said.

In many cases, Collin said, it takes longer to rule out possible causes than it does to pinpoint what actually happened.

“We have to rule out things like mechanical problems and natural causes, so going through that process may seem slow but even the most minute piece of evidence can tell us how the entire accident happened,” Collins said. “Collecting the data and processing the way we do it now is faster than in the past and it’s more accurate.”

Team investigators compile the crash site data and run it through specialized software that reconstructs the layout of the crash in computer animations.

“Those animations help us get a valid sequence of events, see where the impacts took place, where the cars went after impact and that sort of thing,” Collins said. “We have to determine all of these things before we decide if criminal charges are necessary.”

Florence Police

Florence police Lt. Mike Brandt said that now, thanks to grant funding, the department is able to recreate the scene itself rather than calling on the MAIT team. The department first used the equipment to investigate the Five Points crash that resulted in two deaths and charges against a 19-year-old man.

“Before, we had to do baseline measurement with actual tape measure of all the evidence on the scene. While that method is accurate, it’s a very painstaking process and can take a lot longer than a MAIT team investigation,” Brandt said.

Brand said a major benefit of having this technology is that roadways are no longer tied up for long periods when gathering evidence.

“We can do it accurately, but we can do it quickly now as well and get things normalized much faster,” Brandt said.

Prosecution

South Carolina Fourth Judicial Circuit Deputy Solicitor Kernard Redmond said the prosecutor’s role begins after the investigation is complete and investigators present completed evidence reports for examination.

Redmond said in his circuit the crash site investigators will bring the evidence to prosecutors for guidance on what type of charges, if any, should be pursued.

“They normally consult with us on those types of cases to determine what kind of charges are necessary, before any kind of warrants are brought up,” he said. “Just because there’s a fatal car crash doesn’t necessarily mean it will rise to the level of general sessions charges. It just depends on how the wreck occurred, whether it’s negligent or whether it’s reckless.

This story was originally published August 15, 2015 at 9:33 PM with the headline "Investigations of deadly crashes in SC a painstaking process."