(Update) - Multi Fatal OPP Investigation

OPP Update Public on Ongoing Investigation 

LONDON, ON, Feb. 8, 2012 /CNW/ - At a media conference held today at Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) West Region Headquarters, Chief Superintendent John Cain, Regional Commander of West Region, along with members of Perth County Detachment and the Highway Safety Division of the OPP, announced details of the ongoing investigation into the 11-person fatality that occurred in Hampstead on February 6, 2011.

During the conference, the OPP identified the victims of the collision and also provided information as to the investigative findings to date.  The driver of the van, David Armando HERNANDEZ BLANCAS, 45 years old of New Hamburg, while traveling westbound on Line 47 in the Township of Perth East, failed to stop and provide the right of way to traffic traveling southbound on Perth Road 107.  The investigation also revealed that the driver of the van was not properly licenced to drive a high occupancy vehicle.

The investigation is continuing.

Appended to this release are the names of the victims and a Backgrounder on the OPP Technical Collision Investigation and Reconstruction Team.

QUOTES

"The OPP's primary concern in situations such as this is the best interests of the family and the loved ones left behind, as well as the impact these types of investigations have on our members and those of emergency service responders.  The tragic fact of this investigation is that it was entirely preventable.  This crash should cause all Ontarians to pause and seriously consider their own driving habits and immediately change them for the better."  Chief Superintendent John Cain, Region Commander OPP West Region.

DECEASED
Name		AGE
BLANCAS-HERNANDEZ,     David Armando		45
VALDIVIEZO-TABOA,   Jose Mercedes		49
SANCHEZ-PALACIOS,   Cesar Augusto		53
LEON, Enrique Arturo		47
JARAMILLO, Corsino		47
ABRIL,Mario		48  .
COMPOMANES-CORZO,   Oscar		Unknown
CASTILLO, Juan		Unknown
BRAVO-SUNCION,    Elvio		Unknown
CORREA, Fernando		Unknown
INJURED
SULLA-PUMA, Edgar		26
ARIZA, Juan		35
ALBA-MEDINA, Abelardo		38

BACKGROUNDER

OPP Technical Collision Investigation and Reconstruction Program

• The OPP investigates approximately 70 per cent of Ontario collisions involving serious injury and fatalities.
  
  
• The Technical Collision Investigation Reconstruction Program has been developed to provide expertise in collision investigation within the OPP.
  
  
• The program provides a resource to uniform members.
  
  
• While the investigating member remains the primary investigator, a Technical Collision Investigator (TCI) may be consulted to assist with collecting and recording information required to determine what has occurred.
  
  
• Areas where a TCI may assist include, but are not limited to:
• Driver reaction times;
  
  
• Stopping distances;
  
  
• Speed analysis;
  
  
• Point of impact;
  
  
• Placement of vehicle(s) and occupant(s) at point of impact; and
  
  
• Sequence of collision events.
• The TCI must successfully complete an annual re-qualification exam.
  
  
• OPP Collision Reconstructionists are strategically deployed throughout Ontario.
  
  
• Reconstructionists must achieve a Level 3 TCI proficiency - including field experience - before being accepted as a Level 4 Reconstructionist.
  
  
• Each Reconstructionist is accredited annually and must maintain a high standard of collision expertise.

 

Sgt Dave Rektor, Media Relations
West Region Headquarters

Phone: [phone] 

www.opp.ca

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