In cases involving suspected drunk driving, drone footage can be particularly compelling. For instance, an overview of the crash scene captured from above can reveal the precise position of the vehicles, their point of impact, and the distances they traveled after the collision. This bird's-eye perspective eliminates potential obstructions and provides an unadulterated look at the entire sequence of events, often exposing subtle details like skid marks, debris patterns, and the position of any surrounding witnesses or hazards. These elements can be critical in reconstructing the accident and determining the primary cause, including whether one vehicle significantly deviated from its lane or exhibited erratic driving patterns before the impact, which could point to impairment.

Furthermore, while ground-level photography can be limited by perspective and obstructions, drone photography allows for a comprehensive visual record of the surroundings. Such imagery can capture the road conditions, lighting at the time of the accident, the presence of signage, and the general environment. This contextual information can be instrumental in establishing factors that might have contributed to the accident, or conversely, that could have been avoided by a sober driver. In a drunk driving scenario, where a driver's judgment, reaction time, and overall driving capability are likely compromised, the drone images can help corroborate witness statements or contradict deceptive claims made by the intoxicated party. The ability of drones to provide such a complete picture, coupled with their relative ease of deployment, makes them an increasingly valuable asset in building a solid case against a driver under the influence of alcohol.

CASE STUDY

Western Mass Drones was hired by a South Deerfield, Massachusetts family, who's house was rendered inhabitable, after a suspected drunk driver crashed his vehicle into their home.

The suspected drunk driver, faced various charges, including his third OUI offense. The driver told officers a deer ran in front of the vehicle, causing him to swerve to avoid it. This, he said, forced the vehicle off the roadway and into the home. The vehicle, estimated to have been going at least 60 mph, also took out a concrete bollard. An investigation revealed no signs of the vehicle braking or swerving, only a line directly into the house.

The homeowners and District Attorney used Western Mass Drone's aerial photos in their case against the driver, in an effort to prove that, had he not been intoxicated at that time, and a deer did in fact run out in front of his vehicle, he could have easily and safely come to a stop, or swerved his vehicle into the large open fields surrounding the home.