Behind the Scenes

Story's behind the photos

Photographs tell an important part of a collision’s story, and the perspective from which they are taken can significantly influence what is revealed. When a scene is documented from multiple angles, visible evidence begins to form a clearer narrative of what occurred. However, photographs alone rarely tell the entire story. They capture only a portion of the facts—while the human impact, loss, and long-term consequences remain unseen, yet deeply felt.

Our team has not only documented collision scenes, but has also worked directly with the people affected by them. We understand how life-altering a collision can be, regardless of whether it involves a low-speed impact or a fatal event. This experience informs every investigation we conduct.

We are committed to providing clarity and closure for families, insurers, legal counsel, and the courts through thorough on-scene documentation, detailed analysis, and clear reporting. Having been present at countless scenes—photographing, measuring, documenting, and answering difficult questions—we bring insight that goes beyond what is visible in images alone. That on-scene experience is what sets us apart and allows us to uncover the facts behind the evidence.

Whistler

This collision occurred on Highway 99, just south of Whistler, British Columbia. The driver of the white Volkswagen was traveling northbound toward Whistler for work and had passed several vehicles prior to the collision. Road conditions were wet, resulting in reduced traction.

The driver lost control of the vehicle and initially collided with a southbound van located further up the roadway (not visible in the photograph). Following this initial impact, the white Volkswagen rotated and subsequently struck a red Volkswagen that was also traveling southbound. The left rear (driver’s side) of the white Volkswagen impacted the front of the red Volkswagen. Tragically, the driver of the white Volkswagen sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision.

At the scene, analysis was conducted involving vehicle dynamics, occupant kinematics, seatbelt usage, and points of impact. The tire marks visible in the white Volkswagen’s original lane were determined to be post–primary collision marks, created after the initial impact with the van, and illustrate the rotation of the white Volkswagen into the southbound lane prior to the secondary collision.

Sea to Sky Highway

This collision occurred on Highway 99, between Whistler and Vancouver in British Columbia right before the Olympics were to be announced for Vancouver when there was quite a bit of concern that the highway was considered 'dangerous', even to the point that Maclean's ran it on the front cover of their magazine with a feature on Page 14 . This crash was a triple fatality. Two people died in the red Camaro and one died in the green van. Serious injuries reported from everyone. The story is this: a group of friends were in the Vancouver area the night before, decided to drive up to Whistler, stayed up all night and wanted to be home before their parents knew they were gone. On the ride back, the red Camaro was in the lead, the silver Acura following. At a crest of a hill, on the apex of the curve, the red Camaro lost control (road marks coming in from the right to the left on a roughly 45 degree angle) and slammed into the minivan carrying workers going to Whistler. The driver of the silver Acura reacts to the situation slamming on the brakes (heavy braking applied with ABS braking, leaving overlap skid mark to the scene). The collision ensues with 13 people injured and three dead. Speed determination was made on both the Camaro and the Acura using conventional mathematics. Both were well in excess of the posted speed limits and advisory speed limit for this curve. The point of impact was determined to be in the vans lane. This was the only accessible road to Whistler and the crash occurred in the early morning, so pressure was there to not only investigate the scene but to open the road as quickly as possible. This went to trial with a conviction on both drivers of the Camaro and the Acura even with defence hiring an expert engineer to testify. Defence launched an appeal but the conviction was upheld citing that the evidence provided by Cst Lee Hamilton was more heavily weighted because of scene attendance and testing completed at the scene.

Trans Canada Hwy Sicamous, BC

Collisions involving tractor-trailers or other commercial vehicles often result in severe damage and, tragically, loss of life. In this instance, despite the severity of the impact, no fatal injuries occurred.

The investigation determined that the driver of a silver Pontiac had been passing other vehicles across double solid yellow lines and attempted to do so while entering a curve. The Pontiac subsequently collided head-on with an oncoming commercial vehicle. Liability was a key issue, particularly regarding the location of the point of impact.

Through detailed scene analysis, the point of impact was determined to be within the commercial vehicle’s lane of travel. Speed analysis of the silver Pontiac was conducted using multiple accepted methods, including conventional mathematical calculations and Crash Data Recorder (CDR) data. The results indicated excessive speed, placing responsibility for the collision on the driver of the Pontiac rather than the trucking company.

This investigation incorporated point-of-impact determination, speed analysis, seatbelt usage assessment, and vehicle dynamics evaluation, providing clear, defensible findings that resolved liability concerns and supported the final conclusions.

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Kelowna, BC

Trans Canada Hwy Sicamous, BC

This collision involved a white Dodge Neon and a cyclist. The cyclist was traveling from right to left across the vehicle’s path and, following impact, was carried onto and landed primarily on the windshield and roof of the Neon. The accompanying imagery illustrates the importance of evidence matching in collision analysis.

The collision occurred at a relatively low speed, and the physical evidence clearly confirmed contact between the vehicle and the bicycle. The investigation determined that the cyclist was crossing the intersection against a red traffic signal and was not complying with applicable roadway rules for cyclists.

Point of impact and vehicle speed were determined using accepted mathematical methods, including slide-to-stop calculations and analysis of the cyclist’s post-impact travel distance.

The final rest position of the truck involved in the collision.

Matching the bike with the damage to the vehicle assisted which corroborated the drivers statement.

Lake Country, BC

Sea to Sky Highway, BC

Sometimes the driver can be easily identified at the scene while other times it is very confusing.

In some collisions, the driver can be readily identified at the scene. In others, particularly when occupants have exited the vehicle and there are no witnesses, determining who was driving can be challenging—especially when no one admits to being the driver or conflicting accounts are provided. In such cases, a detailed forensic approach is required.

In this investigation, initial assumptions suggested that the front passenger may have sustained a head injury after contacting the windshield. However, closer examination revealed that the windshield deformation originated from the driver’s side and displaced toward the passenger side. Analysis of the vehicle damage showed that the principal direction of force was concentrated at the right front corner, indicating that all occupants would have moved in that direction during the collision, even if properly restrained.

Both the driver’s and passenger’s seatbelts were examined. Evidence of belt loading—an indicator that the restraint was worn during the collision—was present on the passenger-side seatbelt but not on the driver’s side. Of the two occupants, only one sustained a head injury. Hair follicles recovered from the windshield were later subjected to DNA analysis, which confirmed the identity of the driver. The driver was subsequently convicted of the charges laid.

This investigation relied on a combination of vehicle dynamics, damage analysis, seatbelt examination, and occupant kinematics to reach defensible conclusions.

Sea to Sky Highway, BC

This collision occurred on Highway 99 between Whistler and Squamish on a narrow, winding section of roadway with limited margin for error, which has since been reconstructed as part of Olympic-era highway improvements. Road conditions were dry at the time of the collision.

A family of five was traveling in a blue Cadillac. Prior to entering this section of highway, the driver had passed several vehicles. While negotiating the roadway, the Cadillac lost control and collided with an oncoming pickup truck. Tragically, both parents in the Cadillac sustained fatal injuries.

One parent was seated in the rear passenger position and was restrained by an older-style lap belt. During the collision, the lap belt displaced upward over the pelvis as the occupant’s body moved forward and downward, resulting in severe internal injuries. This occupant kinematic behavior was a critical factor in the injury outcome. The children, who were properly restrained, sustained minimal injuries.

The investigation included determination of point of impact, speed analysis, seatbelt usage assessment, and detailed occupant kinematics evaluation.

West Kelowna, BC

Sea to Sky Highway, BC

West Kelowna, BC

This collision provides a clear example of a slide-to-stop event with overlapping tire marks from the front and rear tires. The green van attempted to make a left turn across the path of an oncoming white pickup truck but was unable to complete the maneuver. In response, the driver of the pickup truck applied heavy braking in an effort to avoid the collision, producing the documented skid marks.

Tragically, a passenger in the green van sustained fatal injuries. The investigation incorporated speed determination, point-of-impact analysis, seatbelt usage assessment, and Crash Data Recorder (CDR) data to support the final conclusions.

Kelowna, BC

A stolen red Chevrolet Camaro was driven at high speed through the streets of Kelowna and was observed by a police officer, who attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Due to the excessive speed and erratic driving, the decision was made to discontinue the pursuit. Despite this, the Camaro continued to be driven recklessly.

The collision occurred when a taxi, carrying a passenger, attempted a left turn across the Camaro’s path. Roadway design factors limited sightlines, as the taxi driver was unable to see oncoming traffic approaching from beyond the crest of a hill. Believing the roadway to be clear, the taxi initiated the turn. Unbeknownst to the taxi driver, the Camaro was approaching at an extremely high rate of speed, with the driver believing he was still being pursued by police.

Using time-distance analysis and speed calculations, the investigation determined that the collision was unavoidable due to the excessive speed of the Camaro in combination with roadway design limitations. Following impact, the taxi struck a lamp standard, depositing yellow paint from the taxi approximately nine feet above ground level on the pole.

The passenger in the taxi sustained fatal injuries, and the driver of the Camaro was arrested and later convicted. This investigation involved speed determination, vehicle dynamics analysis, time-distance evaluation, and detailed scene surveying.

Kelowna, BC

The Taxis' final rest position on top of the Camaro.

Kelowna, BC

Scaled drawing of the scene.

Kelowna, BC

This collision involved a concrete truck that rolled over while negotiating a sharp curve in Kelowna. Distinct tire marks documented during the rollover sequence, along with impact marks created after the vehicle came to rest on its left side, provided critical evidence for analysis.

Curve speed analysis was conducted to determine the critical speed for this vehicle configuration at the location, as well as to establish a minimum speed at the time of the rollover. Although no serious injuries were sustained, liability considerations were significant for the trucking company. The investigation concluded that excessive speed, rather than an improperly secured or unsafe load, was the primary contributing factor to the rollover.

Northern BC

Kelowna, BC

This collision occurred on Highway 16, where a passenger vehicle traveling eastbound crossed the double solid yellow centerline and collided head-on with a motor home traveling in the opposite direction. The driver of the passenger vehicle sustained fatal injuries, while both occupants of the motor home survived but suffered serious injuries.

Limited roadway evidence was present, as neither driver had sufficient time to take effective evasive action prior to impact. Both vehicles were traveling at or near highway speed, with the posted limit being 90 km/h.

Damage analysis revealed that the passenger vehicle sustained primarily driver-side damage, with rear deformation progressing from right to left. This damage pattern suggested a possible steering input to the right immediately prior to impact. The investigation determined that the passenger vehicle had been attempting to pass another vehicle when it crossed into the opposing lane and struck the motor home head-on.

Northern BC

Kelowna, BC

Northern BC

The motor home absorbed the impact on the driver’s side, resulting in rearward displacement and causing the vehicle to overturn onto its side.

It was determined that the vehicle was passing subsequently hitting the RV head-on. The motor home took the impact on the drivers side pushing the vehicle rearward knocking the RV on its side.