We Have No Insight On Tri

To the Editor:
Regarding your story and follow on editorial in response to Mr. Dean: With all due respect, I believe Mr. Dean has a point – the words you chose were inappropriate. Assuming there were no skid marks, the reconstructionist had to estimate the overall speed of the collision (car speed plus truck speed) based on damage. For all we know LCDR Tri’s car was stopped after sliding sideways. I’ve fishtailed at less than 5mph on black ice . . . (I do agree that Mr. Dean’s proclaimed speed of 45mph was most likely unsafe for the conditions but that by no means gives us insight to LCDR Tri’s speed). The statement, “. . . when he was going to fast . . . ” is not required to make the point that ANY speed can be unsafe in bad driving conditions – to include a discussion of tire condition, vehicle type, etc. Your choice of words were inflammatory to say the least. Hope you can admit a mistake.
Patrick Buckley
(Editor's Note: Thank you for your letter. There are no skid marks on ice, that is the problem, a lack of traction. Further, this newspaper routinely accepts the word of what caused the crash from a veteran Reconstructionist, who is accepted by the Court as an expert rather than the duty officer sitting on the desk who formulates a press release --- or your opinion or that of Trever Bothwell, of what you wish the situation was at the time of the tragedy on Saturday night. The causation as determined by the Reconstructionist was that LCDR Tri was going too fast for the weather and road conditions, lost control, crossed the center line and was struck by the pickup, which was traveling at a lagging distance behind the salt truck. Now you have read it for a second time. Why don't you redirect yourself towards a more positive effort and set about building a memorial fund in the name of your friend for a cause such as aiding the U.S. troops who have been injured in the Iraq War?
At such time that the Reconstructionist changes his mind about what caused this double fatality, we shall have an update. The Reconstructionist spent hours in the cold investigating this crash and you have provided no information which should cause anyone to doubt his conclusion. If you develop any information other than that contained in a press release issued by a deputy who was not on the scene, please provide same. In the meantime, it is hoped you can admit you are wrong, grieving perhaps over the loss of your friend, but wrong. Except about doing 45 on black ice or any icy road. At least you can disagree with Mr. Dean about that level of speed being safe on ice.)