A new specialized unit will investigate serious car accidents in Monroe County, according to a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office news release Saturday.
The Major Crash Investigation team consists of four officers specially trained in crash reconstruction, evidence collection, impaired driving enforcement and technical analysis.
Funding for the team’s training and equipment came as a $123,636 grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, an administrative entity that oversees Indiana law enforcement. The team's new equipment consists of crash analysis gear, which can help determine how a crash occurred and how the vehicles involved were moving prior to the crash.
Jeffrey Brown, the county’s Public Information Officer, said in an email the county’s past method of investigating crashes would take over four hours and sometimes resulted in deputies working overtime. The new unit aims to improve efficiency and lessen the deputies’ workload, he said.
In addition to reducing workload, Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marté said in the Saturday news release the Major Crash Investigation team will help the sheriff’s office gather details about crashes faster. The unit consists of a team commander, two crash reconstruction specialists and a drug recognition expert.
“When tragedies occur on our roadways, the public deserves a thorough, professional investigation,” Marté said. “Thanks to the support of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, our Major Crash Investigation Team will have the specialized equipment and training needed to provide answers to families, ensure accountability, and enhance roadway safety in Monroe County.”
Brown said other “larger” agencies also use specialized reconstruction teams to investigate crashes. Columbus Police Department and Noblesville Police Department have teams that work specifically in crash reconstruction, with their Accident Investigation Unit and Crash Reconstruction Unit respectively.
There were over 3,700 car accidents in Monroe County in 2024, according to a crash data dashboard, including 10 fatalities. The Saturday news release said the new Major Crash Investigation unit will work closely with local, state and federal partners to “promote roadway safety initiatives.”
Concern for public safety prompted Bloomington to begin participating in the Federal Highway Administration’s Safe Streets for All initiative in 2023, which prioritizes eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries.
