Investigating Colorado crashes to advocate for victims

Accidents in Colorado, regardless of the weather or traffic conditions, can be serious or fatal. Following a crash, the investigation seeks to determine what occurred and who was responsible. This important task is taken seriously by a crash reconstructionist from the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, such as Deputy Ben Sears. Sears emphasizes the value of photos in understanding the crash, sometimes amassing up to 500 images from a single event. Using a combination of physics, formulas, measurements, and mathematics, he likens reconstructing a crash scene to solving a puzzle. By examining evidence like tire marks, vehicle damage, and data, he can ascertain the cause, sequence of events, and vehicle speed involved. Considerations include the human element, vehicle factors, and environmental conditions influencing each crash. Sears was notably the first responder at a fatal crash involving State Senator Faith Winters, where his thorough investigation revealed there were actually two separate collisions involving the same vehicle. Sears, who is the only traffic reconstructionist in the agency accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction, aims to advocate for those affected by such incidents. By collecting detailed information during investigations, he hopes to provide answers and closure to victims and their families. Additionally, this information can sometimes assist in determining potential charges or identifying engineering problems on roadways.