On April 12, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department received a 911-emergency call of a personal injury accident in the area of 3A Road, between East Shore Drive and Plymouth-Goshen Trail near Bremen. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, Bremen Police Department, Bremen Fire Department and Tri-County EMS responded to the scene. The initial dispatch indicated that one of the vehicles was on fire.
During the crash investigation, it was revealed that Frank T. Galos, age 28, from Lake of the Woods was traveling westbound on 3A Road, when he ran into the back of Michelle Shupert’s vehicle causing damage to the vehicles. Frank T. Galos along with Michelle Shupert complained of pain and were treated on scene by EMS and transported to Bremen Community Hospital for treatment. Frank T. Galos was transported to South Bend Memorial Hospital for his injuries. During the investigation, it was believed that Frank T. Galos was intoxicated. The crash investigation is still pending. A case report will be completed and forwarded to the Marshall County Prosecutor for Operating While Intoxicated.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department has recently purchased equipment to assist in Accident Investigation. Crash data retrieval is a method used to gather information about a traffic accident. It consists of the downloading and analysis of data stored in the event data recorder of a vehicle’s airbag module, sometimes called an Airbag Control Module or Restraint Control Module. Event Data Recorders (EDRs) are electronic devices that are installed in motor vehicles. EDRs have the ability to record information about what a vehicle did before, during and immediately after a traffic crash. Among the information available is the precise speed of the vehicle several seconds before the crash, the timing of braking of the vehicles involved and weather seat belts are buckled. EDRs are generally part of a vehicle’s airbag control module, powertrain control module, or rollover sensor. NHTSA has released a ruling (NHTSA-2006-25666; 49 CFR Part 563 Titled: Event Data Recorders) that will regulate the type of information that is recorded and the method in which it is stored. The ruling will affect all vehicles manufactured for North America after September 1st 2012 and will require that all manufacturers make their EDR data available to the public.
Learn more about NHTSA’s ruling
Who can benefit from accident investigation and crash data retrieval? Almost anyone who has been in an accident can benefit. This includes drivers or passengers who sustained property loss or injury during a crash. Crash data retrieval and accident reconstruction can also benefit legal counsel (both civil and criminal), insurance companies, car rental agencies and municipalities or government agencies. The collection of the data is extremely useful in determining the events that occurred prior to, during and after the crash. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department used the equipment in the accident investigation to assist in the investigation. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department along with the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office combined monies to purchase the equipment.
Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.
