Opinion ID: 1609015
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: reconstruction photographs

Text: The first issue presented is the admissibility of the photographs made by Westfall of his reconstruction of the accident scene. Westfall testified that in his opinion, Clinton's vision was impaired by glare from the headlights of Ford's truck, and that Clinton had been unable to see Ford until just before the collision. Westfall generally based his opinion on his observations of his reconstruction of the scene of the accident and his measurements and calculations of skid marks, Clinton's speed, and the stopping distance of Clinton's truck. The photographs at issue generally display a head-on view of the pickup truck placed by Westfall in approximately the same place as Ford's truck had been at the time of the accident. The photographs were used, essentially, to depict the reconstruction performed by Westfall and to illustrate the basis for Westfall's opinion testimony regarding the cause of the accident. Ford now complains of the photographs on several bases. Specifically, Ford argues that the photographs were misleading because (1) the reconstruction was inaccurate in that a rotating beacon was used instead of a strobe light and the fire hydrant was not opened and (2) the photographs were darker than the accident scene. Ford also contends that the photographs should not have been admitted because Ford's counsel was not invited to observe Westfall's reconstruction. We address each contention in turn.