Procedures:
Hit and run traffic crash
When the driver of a vehicle leaves the scene of a crash without stopping, or fails to provide the required information, pursuant to MN State Statute 169.09, it shall be considered a hit and run.
Traffic crash with injuries
A crash where any person involved is injured. There are four levels of potential injury:
-
Possible injury
-
Suspected minor injury
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Suspected serious injury
- Killed
Evidence and information collection
Officers may use the following tools to collect evidence and information during traffic crash investigations:
- Photographs (of the final positions of the vehicles, damage to vehicles, and results of the crash on the roadway such as tire marks, debris, and damaged objects). Photos will be taken before chalking or painting to highlight evidence. A second set of photos may be taken to better illustrate evidentiary items.
- Preliminary field examinations of specific vehicle components for failures or damage.
- Preliminary matching of vehicle damage to the damage of other vehicles and other objects, and to marks on the road.
- Skid tests by investigators or responding officers.
- Any items of evidentiary value should be collected and turned into the proper holding area.
- Observations of visibility and view obstructions.
- Trip plans of each driver or pedestrian involved.
- Events, maneuvers and anticipated actions just prior to collision.
- Accurate descriptions and measurements of all vehicle damage, marks on roadway, final positions of vehicles, and debris.
- Officers will question the driver(s) and witness(es) of crashes which are reported and pursuant to G.O. 610, record all pertinent information electronically on the MNCrash (state crash report) report. Also pursuant to G.O. 610, when there are fatalities, when someone is transported by ambulance from the scene, or crashes where an arrest is made, officers will write an original RMS report in addition to the MNCrash (state crash report) report.
- Any other information related to the crash that may be necessary to insure the completeness of the investigation.
Revised February 26, 2020