ST. LOUIS – Day two of the trial of Daniel Riley saw several testimonies from police officers who were on the scene the night of the horrific crash.
Officers took the stand one-by-one Wednesday, recounting Riley’s demeanor the night of the crash, which cost a Tennessee volleyball player her legs. Some said it appeared Riley had no regard for life and was more concerned about the potential charges he might face.
“I saw the victim’s face; I didn’t think she was going to live,” Ian Csapo, officer with the St. Louis Police Department, said.
Additionally, a Missouri State Highway Patrol toxicologist read the blood test, revealing that numerous drugs were in Riley’s system the night of the crash.
“Fentanyl will cause drowsiness; really, more relaxed, hard to even stay conscious,” toxicologist Gary Davis said.
Riley’s defense team cross-examined officers, saying they were too emotional that night, failed to pay attention to the other driver involved, and did not conduct a thorough investigation to determine who was at fault for the crash.
Prosecutors are still interviewing some key witnesses. It is expected that Janae and her mother will testify at some point during the trial, as Janae’s father testified Tuesday.
The final witness on Wednesday was Thomas Morris, an accident reconstruction expert. The prosecution showed a computerized recreation of the crash.
There was testimony estimating Riley’s vehicle went from five to 45 miles per hour before colliding with a Chevy Malibu. Prosecutors made the case that Riley’s speed caused the crash.
Prosecutor Adam Field asked Morris, “From my understanding, you’re saying if the Audi didn’t touch its brakes at all, as long as it wasn’t pedal to the metal, that the crash never would have happened?”
“That is correct,” responded Morris.
Defense attorney Daniel Diemer questioned why the collision resulted in the SUV overturning but not the Malibu. The accident reconstruction analyst estimated the speed of the Malibu was 30 mph at impact.
“Yet the Malibu had still enough force, with less weight, to lift and start to roll and lift the Audi?” Diemer asked Morris on cross-examination.
Morris responded, “That’s correct.”
The reconstruction expert went on to testify other factors contribute to whether a vehicle overturns, including where a vehicle is struck.
Diemer questioned Morris over how reliable his analysis would be if the information provided by police contained flaws. Morris testified that several sources were used to determine his findings and the information gathered supported police findings.
It remains unclear what witness Riley’s defense team will put on the stand.
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