“Serious vehicular crashes are of grave concern to this Office and to all New Yorkers,” said District Attorney Vance. “While not all crashes are crimes, they can forever alter the lives of the victims and their families. My Office’s Vehicular Crimes Unit is committed to prosecuting cases where there is evidence of criminality. To that end, we have provided specialized training to more than 100 prosecutors throughout New York City on all aspects of vehicular crashes, including investigations, preservation of evidence, and trial techniques. We recognize the need for prosecutors to receive special instruction in complex areas such as crash reconstruction, so that they may put technical concepts into plain language and effectively communicate complex terms to juries and judges.  Our streets need to be made safer for all who share them, from pedestrians to cyclists to drivers, and we will continue to advocate for best standards and practices to investigate and prosecute vehicular crimes.” 

 

Speakers in this week’s training included John Wolfstaetter and Jill Hoexter, Co-Chiefs of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Vehicular Crimes Unit; Joseph McCormack, Bureau Chief of Vehicular Crimes in the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office; Maureen McCormick, Bureau Chief of Vehicular Crimes in the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office; and nationally renowned crash reconstruction expert and author John Kwasnoski. Juan Martinez, General Counsel for Transportation Alternatives, also addressed the course. 

 

The week-long Crash Investigation and Reconstruction for Prosecutors course was offered to Assistant District Attorneys from all five boroughs of New York City, Nassau, and Westchester Counties.