COLLISION ANALYSIS

&
RECONSTRUCTION REPORT

Incident Report # 2012-361-NE

Incident Date: November 16, 2012

Location: Fond du Lac Avenue / Pioneer Road

City of Fond du Lac
Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin

Report Date: January 16, 2013

Prepared by:

Trooper Jeremy VerGowe, ACTAR #1509

Accredited Reconstruction Specialist
Wisconsin State Patrol – TRU
(920)960-5312
jeremy.vergowe@dot.wi.gov
 ~ Forward ~
Crash Reconstruction is a comprehensive subject with many facets and specialty fields. The primary
responsibility of the investigation is to document and preserve all available physical evidence. The following
reconstruction is limited to the subjects stated herein. The author and the Wisconsin State Patrol reserve the
right to conduct a more extensive analysis of the available material on a later date as necessity dictates.

2012-361-NE Page 2 of 14
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

SYNOPSIS .................................................................................................................................... 4

OBJECTIVE.................................................................................................................................. 4

CRASH SCENE DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................... 5

SCENE DOCUMENTATION ...................................................................................................... 6

VEHICLE EXAMINATION .......................................................................................................... 7

GENERAL VEHICLE CONFIGURATION: ...................................................................................................7

COLLISION DAMAGE: .........................................................................................................................7

ROADWAY EXAMINATION ...................................................................................................... 8

COLLISION SEQUENCE ........................................................................................................... 9

SPEED ANALYSIS...................................................................................................................... 9

CONSERVATION OF ENERGY APPROACH: ..............................................................................................9

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ............................................................................................... 10

W EATHER:..................................................................................................................................... 10
SUN POSITION:............................................................................................................................... 10

REPORT SUMMARY ................................................................................................................ 11

INFORMATION REVIEWED FOR REPORT PREPARATION .......................................... 12

PRINTED MATERIAL(S) AND POLICE REPORTS ..................................................................................... 12

FORENSIC MAPPING DATA ............................................................................................................... 12
PHOTOGRAPHY .............................................................................................................................. 12
COMPUTER SOFTWARE/DATA ........................................................................................................... 12

APPENDIX .................................................................................................................................. 14

2012-361-NE Page 3 of 14
 SYNOPSIS

During the early morning hours of Friday, November 16, 2012, a traffic crash
occurred on Fond du Lac Avenue in the City of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County,
Wisconsin (See Figure 1). A 2004 Mazda 3 sedan was traveling southbound when it
crossed the centerline and entered into the east ditch approximately 130 feet to the
south of Pioneer Road. While in the ditch, the vehicle traveled over 130 feet further
towards the south before striking a relatively large tree. A passenger in the vehicle
sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision.

Crash Scene

Figure 1 – Google M aps Image of Collision Area

OBJECTIVE

At the request of the Fond du Lac Police Department, an analysis of the collision
was completed using the available physical evidence collected from the scene of the
crash. The primary objective of the analysis was to establish the speed and positioning
of the vehicle through the collision sequence. An examination of any environmental
factors that may have contributed to the collision was also performed.

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 CRASH SCENE DESCRIPTION

A black Mazda 3 sedan was

located in the east ditch of Fond du Lac
Avenue approximately 265 feet south of
Pioneer Road. The vehicle was oriented
with the front end facing primarily
towards the south. The front of the
vehicle was positioned tight up against a
relatively large tree trunk (See Figure 2).
The bark on the tree trunk was scraped
and gouged. The front of the car had
sustained very severe damage in the
form of inward structural collapse. Figure 2 – M azda 3 at Final Rest.

There were tire imprints in the grass ditch that led up to the vehicle’s final resting
position from the north (See Figure 3). The imprints covered a distance of
approximately 135 feet. The grass furrows did not appear to contain any uprooted or
torn grass blades. The tracks did travel through a small patch of moist ground that
contained very little grass. In this area, a distinct tire tread impression was observed.
The condition of the grass furrows and the presence of the tire tread impression suggest
that the tires were free rolling as the vehicle traveled through the grass ditch. There
were no tire marks located on the roadway that could be attributed to the Mazda.

Figure 3 – Tire Imprints

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 SCENE DOCUMENTATION

The placement of the available physical evidence resulting from the collision was
measured on November 16, 2012, at approximately 5:30 a.m., with the assistance of
Trooper Nathan Wright. A Geodimeter 610 Total Station was used for the scene
mapping (See Figure 4). The total station is an electronic instrument that measures
angles and distances. The two measuring systems allow the user to accurately collect
three-dimensional data on points of interest. The
measurements are stored in the unit’s data collector,
along with descriptive tags, until they can be
downloaded into a computer system for further
analysis. A prism (reflector), usually mounted to a
pole, is generally used to mark evidentiary points so
that the needed measurements can be recorded by
the instrument. The measurements obtained with the
total station documented the placement of such things
as the tire tracks and the vehicle’s final resting
position. In addition, the profile of the roadway in the
immediate area of the collision was mapped. A scaled
drawing of the collision scene was created from this
data (See Figure 5). The drawing was utilized in the
completion of the collision analysis. Figure 4 – Geodimeter 610 Total Station

Figure 5 – Image of Post-Collision Scaled Drawing

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 VEHICLE EXAMINATION
General Vehicle Configuration:

The 2004 Mazda 3 sedan

involved in this collision was
powered by a 2.3 Liter, 4-
cylinder engine. The vehicle’s
transmission provided the power
at the front wheels. The car’s
stopping power was provided by
disc brakes at all four wheels.
This vehicle has a published
curb weight of approximately
2,729 pounds.
Figure 6 – M azda 3 Sedan

Collision Damage:

The front of the Mazda sustained very severe inward structural collapse as a
result of the impact with the tree (See Figure 6). The damage profile was measured
with a total station (See Figure 7). The front bumper was displaced inward an average
distance of about 21 inches along its entire width. The maximum displacement was
approximately 36 inches. The maximum displacement occurred in a pocketed area that
was in direct contact with the tree. The crush profile was relatively uniform in the
vertical plane. The roof and fenders of the vehicle exhibited induced creasing damage.

Figure 7 – M azda 3 Damage Profile

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 ROADWAY EXAMINATION

Fond du Lac Avenue is a two lane roadway that runs predominately in the
northwest/southeast direction. The roadway is divided by a yellow centerline which
creates one lane of traffic for each direction of travel. The outside edges of the lanes
are marked by white fog lines. The paint lines create a lane width of a little under 12
feet. The line work did not exhibit any excessive fading. The pavement edges extend
past the fog lines approximately two and a half to three feet before giving way to grassy
ditches.

Fond du Lac Avenue is relatively flat in the immediate area of the crash. The
roadway did slope upward slightly as it travelled in the southeastern direction. Based
on elevation data collected with the total station, the roadway had a grade of around
one percent in this area. The roadway did contain a relatively large radius curve
(approximately 1000 feet) in the area immediately prior to where the driver left the
roadway. An overview of the collision area can be seen in Figure 8, which is an aerial
image obtained from Google Maps. It illustrates the general design and setting of the
roadway in the immediate area of the crash. The image was not captured on the day of
the crash and is not intended to depict the conditions at that time. The northwest travel
direction is towards the left side of the image. A red “x” marks the approximate location
where the Mazda 3 came to final rest. The curved portion of the roadway did have a
positive super-elevation of approximately 5%. In other words, the roadway had an
upward cross-slope (embankment) towards the outside edge of the curve. The
roadway was composed of bituminous concrete and appeared to be in relatively good
condition. The surface was dry and did not contain any significant material defects.
Fond du Lac Avenue is regulated with a posted 40-mph speed limit.

Figure 8 – Aerial Image of Collision Area

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 COLLISION SEQUENCE

The Mazda 3 was traveling southbound on Fond du Lac Avenue in the area of
Pioneer Road. The available tire track evidence indicates that the vehicle left the
roadway approximately 135 feet to the south of Pioneer Road. The Mazda traveled
down into the east ditch and continued to the south for approximately 135 feet before
striking the trunk of a large tree (See Figure 9). The car came to a complete stop upon
striking the tree. The rear of the vehicle experienced a slight clockwise rotation as a
result of the impact. The manner in which the vehicle left the roadway suggests that the
driver failed to follow the curve in the roadway as it was proceeding southbound on
Fond du Lac Avenue. The movement off the roadway, as well as the lack of any heavy
braking evidence on the roadway or in the ditch, seems to suggest that the driver was
inattentive to the driving task.

Figure 9 – Collision Sequence

SPEED ANALYSIS

Conservation of Energy Approach:

The speed of the Mazda 3 was estimated using the Conservation of Energy
approach. The Law of Energy Conservation states that energy is never destroyed, but
rather converted to a different form when work is done. The Mazda lost a significant
amount of kinetic energy when it struck the tree. This is evident by the severe crushing
damage that it sustained. A damage energy analysis was completed to estimate the
amount of kinetic energy that was dissipated in doing damage to the vehicle. This
analysis is based on Hooke’s Law which defines the force necessary to stretch or
compress a spring with a known stiffness. In physics, work is done when a force
displaces an object. Therefore, the work done compressing a spring can be determined
if the stiffness of the spring is known and the amount of displacement can be measured.
Furthermore, the amount of kinetic energy used to compress the spring would also be
known based on the Work-Energy Theorem.

2012-361-NE Page 9 of 14
 A damage-energy analysis is completed by viewing a damaged vehicle as an
inelastic spring. The analysis is dependent upon the stiffness of the vehicle’s structure
and the amount of displacement that it sustained. The amount of displacement is
quantified using a standardized measurement protocol 1. The stiffness values that are
used are based upon actual crash tests of the same or similar model vehicles. These
tests are performed by established test facilities in collaboration with the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Literature that lists general stiffness
values, based on vehicle class categories, is also reviewed for the purposes of this
analysis 2.

Using the described energy analysis, the Mazda 3 was estimated to be traveling
at a minimum speed of approximately 46 to 54-mph at the moment of impact with the
tree. There was no evidence to indicate that the vehicle was braking prior to impact.
The speed range is based on a sensitivity analysis of the input variables.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Weather:

The sky was clear with no precipitation during the early morning hours on the
date of the crash. The atmospheric conditions were good and should not have created
any visibility problems for the driver. Visibility was reported at 10 miles during the time
frame in question. This refers to the distance at which prominent objects on the horizon
can be identified with the naked eye. Ten miles is the maximum distance at which
visibility is reported. The distance can be reduced by such things as precipitation, haze,
or fog. The temperature was approximately 32 ºF with light north/northwest winds
blowing. The historical weather data was recorded at the Fond du Lac County Airport.
The airport is located approximately 3.5 miles to the west of the crash scene.

Sun Position:

According to records kept by the United States Naval Observatory, the sun did
not set until several hours after the approximate time of the crash. There were no
significant ambient light sources in the immediate area. The motorist was operating
under night-time lighting conditions.

1
Measuring Protocol for Quantifying Vehicle Damage from an Energy Basis Point of View, Nicholas S.
Tumbas and Russell A. Smith, SAE 880072, Society of Automotive Engineers, 1988.
2
Updating the Vehicle Class Categories, Donald E. Siddall and Terry D. Day, SAE 960897, Society of
Automotive Engineers, 1996.

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 REPORT SUMMARY
The following statements are b ased on information and evidence reviewed b y the author as of this writing. They are
b elieved to b e true and accurate, and are b ased on sound scientific principles which are widely accepted within the
field of crash reconstruction.

 The available physical evidence suggests the driver of the Mazda 3 sedan failed to negotiate the
contours of the roadway.

 The Mazda 3 was estimated to be traveling at a minimum speed of approximately 46 to 54-mph

at the time of impact with the tree.

 The weather conditions at the time of the crash were evaluated. The temperature was
approximately 32ºF with slight winds blowing around the time of the crash. The roadway was dry
and should have provided good traction.

 The atmospheric conditions were clear and should not have caused any visibility problems.

 The sun had set well before the time of the crash. There were no significant ambient light
sources in the immediate area of the collision. The driver would have been operating primarily
under the illumination of the vehicle’s headlamps.

Respectfully Submitted,

Trooper Jeremy VerGowe, ACTAR #1509

Accredited Reconstruction Specialist
Wisconsin State Patrol – TRU
433 W. St. Paul Avenue, Suite 300
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(920)960-5312

2012-361-NE Page 11 of 14
 INFORMATION REVIEWED FOR REPORT PREPARATION
Printed Material(s) and Police Reports
Several police reports and published references were consulted in preparing this analysis. The items of
information that were reviewed include the following:

1. Published Materials:

A. Daily, John, Nathan Shigemura, and Jeremy Daily, Fundamentals of Traffic Crash
Reconstruction, Jacksonville, FL: Institute of Police Technology and Management, 2006.

B. Measuring Protocol for Quantifying Vehicle Damage from an Energy Basis Point of View,
Nicholas S. Tumbas and Russell A. Smith, SAE 880072, Society of Automotive
Engineers, 1988.

C. Crash Test Numbers 4864 and 5155 from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration Vehicle Crash Test Database.

D. Updating the Vehicle Class Categories, Donald E. Siddall and Terry D. Day, SAE
960897, Society of Automotive Engineers, 1996.

E. Vehicle specification data for the 2004 Mazda 3 from the Expert Autostats (Ver. 5.1.0)
computer program.

Forensic Mapping Data

The following forensic mapping data was used to complete the reconstruction analysis:

1. Geodimeter 610 Total Station Mapping Data of the Crash Scene by the Wisconsin State Patrol
Technical Reconstruction Unit ~ 11/16/12

2. Vehicle Damage Measurements of the 2004 Mazda 3 by the Wisconsin State Patrol Technical
Reconstruction Unit ~ 11/16/12

Photography
The following digital photographs were reviewed while completing the analysis:

1. 72 Scene Photographs by Trooper Jeremy VerGowe.

Computer Software/Data
The following computer software programs or professional websites were utilized or consulted in
preparing this collision analysis:

1. Computer Programs
TM
A. Crash Zone Version 9.4.5 – Professional Drawing Software.

B. REC-TEC Platinum Professional Version 20130101 – Professional Crash Reconstruction

Software.

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 C. Expert Autostats Version 5.1.0 – Vehicle Dimension and Specification Software.

D. Microsoft Word 2010 – Word Processing Software.

2. Professional Websites

A. Aerial Photograph of the Collision Area. (http://maps.google.com)

B. Historical Weather Data for the City of Fond du Lac as Cataloged by the Weather
Underground in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (www.weatherunderground.com)

C. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Crash Test Database. (www-
nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/database/ veh/ veh.htm.)

D. United States Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Data Services Concerning

the Altitude and Azimuth of the Sun on November 16, 2012. (http://www.usno.navy.mil)

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 APPENDIX

The following item will be appended to this report:

1. Post-Collision Scaled Drawing

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 Post-Collision Drawing

Tire Imprints

Fond du Lac Ave.

Inicident #: 2012-361-NE
Collision Date: November 16, 2012
Location: Fond du Lac Ave. / Pioneer Rd.
City of Fond du Lac
Fond du Lac County, WI
SCALE
Mapped By: Trooper Nathan Wright
0 5 10
FEET
15 20
Trooper Jeremy VerGowe
Drawn By: Trooper Jeremy VerGowe