ST. CLOUD, Fla. – As the face of Central Florida’s morning traffic coverage, one of my primary responsibilities at News 6 is helping viewers understand what’s happening on our roadways and how it impacts their daily commute.
Over the years, we’ve talked a lot about crashes and the delays they can cause. But some investigations involve far more than clearing debris and reopening lanes.
Unfortunately, fatal crashes are a reality in Central Florida, and the investigations that follow can take hours, sometimes longer. With multiple people involved and emotions running high, it’s understandable that frustration can build among drivers waiting for roads to reopen or the investigation to be completed.
What many people don’t realize is the amount of work taking place behind the scenes to ensure those investigations are done correctly.
For this edition of “Trooper Steve on Patrol,” I was joined by a traffic homicide investigator, Cpl. Redditt with the St. Cloud Police Department to walk viewers through the process.
From documenting evidence and taking detailed measurements to interviewing witnesses, reviewing video footage, and reconstructing the events leading up to the crash, every step serves a purpose. Investigators are tasked with determining not only what happened, but why it happened and whether any criminal violations occurred.
While drivers may only see flashing lights and traffic backups, investigators see grieving families searching for answers and victims whose stories deserve to be told accurately. These cases require patience, precision, and compassion because the outcome can impact criminal proceedings and provide families with a clearer understanding of what happened to their loved one.
I’ve always said that traffic homicide investigators are tasked with writing the last few pages of someone’s life that the rest of us never get to read. It is a responsibility they do not take lightly.
The next time you encounter a lengthy road closure tied to a fatal crash investigation, remember that beyond the inconvenience is a team of professionals working to uncover the truth, provide accountability, and offer a measure of closure to those left behind. Sometimes, the most important work on our roadways happens long after the crash itself.