66 th SESPTC – W.V.

 Our nation’s 480,000 school buses travel more than 4.4 billion miles and transport 25 million students  Students are nearly 8 times safer riding in a school bus; however there are cases where school buses are involved in major crashes.

 Accountability  Human Nature  Identifying at-risk drivers  Identifying Deficiencies  Identifying Patterns  Consistency  Unpredictable Exposure to Litigation  Practice

 Camera  Markers  Tape Measure  Note Pad  Flashlight  Reflective Vest  Forms:  Scene Checklist  Passenger Position Chart  Passenger Injury List  Accident Statement Witness forms  Photo Log form  Documentation is Everything

 Three reasons why we investigate  Protection  Learning (training gaps)  Fairness to employees  Four key areas:  Prioritization of evidence  Types of physical evidence  Methods for accurately documenting evidence  Develop a methodical approach at the accident scene

 Litigation  Injuries/fatalities to self or other involved  Increased maintenance and repair costs  Increased insurance costs

 Accident types by month and year  Backing, moving forward, right and left turns  Accident by time of day (AM, PM)  Light conditions  Daylight, Dawn, Dark w/o Street Light, Dusk

 Everyone treated equal  Learning opportunity for all  Consistent documentation

 Temporary (or transient) evidence  Final vehicle positions  Final position of victim(s)  Weather  Light  Tire prints (imprint on snow, ice and mud)  Radiator spatter  Debris  Puddles  Vehicle controls  Passenger positions  Driver and witness statements

 Durable evidence  Skid marks  Vehicle damage  Damage to fixed objects  Pavement scars  Driver and vehicle record  Placement and types of traffic signs and controls

 Life Safety is the first priority  Communication to Parents, Administrators and First Responders…Then…….  The Big Picture is KEY  Start Documenting the accident scene  Determine the Point of Impact (POI)  Identify credible witnesses

At approximately 2:50 pm two Knox County school buses collided while traveling in opposite directions on Asheville Highway near the intersection of Gov. John Sevier Highway.

Vehicle International Rear Engine 22 Children 1 Adult Driver

Vehicle Thomas Built Rear Engine 18 Children 1 Adult Monitor 1 Adult Driver

The results of this crash were numerous injuries and hospitalization of the occupants.

Were fatally injured! Zykia Burns—age 6 Seraya Glasper—age 7 Kimberly Riddle—Bus Monitor

Due to the nature of this crash and the lack of certain expected evidence, a quick and clear action plan became a necessity. -lack of road surface marks- -weather conditions- -eye witnesses- -passengers-

Never underestimate the power of an eyewitness!

 Fire  Ambulance  Legal  Counselor  Reconstructionist  Traffic Engineers  Inspector  School Bus Technician  National Transportation Safety Board