Reconstructing Deadly Bus Accident

Reconstruction of the deadly bus accident began Wednesday. Because of its magnitude, it could take several days to determine how it all happened.

When 3 vehicles crashed at an intersection in Southwest Minnesota, four children lost their lives. That's part of why finding out who's at fault is so important to this investigation.
“A lot of times we're out there because somebody killed somebody and there’s gonna be charges.” 

Brian Crozier is an accident re-constructionist for the Sioux Falls police department. He's not working on the Cottonwood bus crash, but he says accidents of this size can be very complex. 

Crozier says, “The more vehicles you have involved, the more complicated it becomes.” 

Crozier says investigators will look for skid marks which can show the point of impact or even which direction the vehicles were headed. Special formulas help them determine how fast the vehicles were traveling. 

“If the bus driver saw what happened and took any steering maneuvers, those tire marks are gonna be on the road,” Crozier says. 

Crozier says finding out who's responsible is important to everyone involved.
“We've sat down with the families and told them exactly what has happened with the accident and why things happened the way they did and they really get a lot out of it and it gives them a better understanding. It gives them a little bit more peace on why their loved one died in a crash.” 

While it could take days or weeks, Crozier says the community can take comfort knowing their questions will soon be answered.