Title page
Contents
Background 5
Summary 7
Crash Site 7
Pre-Crash 8
Crash 8
Post-Crash 10
2007 Volkswagen GTI 11
Description 11
Vehicle History 12
Exterior Damage 12
Event Data Recorder 16
Interior Damage 16
Manual Restraint Systems 17
Supplemental Restraint Systems 18
Air Bag Non-Deployment Discussion 21
2007 Volkswagen GTI Occupant 23
Driver Demographics 23
Driver Injuries 23
Driver Kinematics 24
Crash Diagram 26
Figure 1. Left-front oblique view of the 2007 Volkswagen GTI at the time of the SCI vehicle inspection 5
Figure 2. Southbound view of the Volkswagen's pre-crash travel trajectory 7
Figure 3. Location of the Volkswagen's roadside departure and first crash events (on-scene image obtained from the investigating law enforcement agency) 9
Figure 4. North-facing lookback view of the large-diameter tree along the vehicle's crash trajectory travel path (on-scene image obtained from the... 9
Figure 5. Southwest-facing view of the large-diameter tree, white vinyl fence, and concrete drainage culvert, with the vehicle at final rest in the pond... 10
Figure 6. Front-right oblique view of the 2007 Volkswagen GTI at the time of the SCI vehicle inspection 11
Figure 7. Front-left oblique view of the 2007 Volkswagen GTI when listed for sale in 2015 (image obtained from a commercially available vehicle history report) 12
Figure 8. Right-rear oblique view of the Volkswagen's Event 3 damage, overlapped by damage from Event 5 13
Figure 9. Overhead view of the damaged Volkswagen at the time of the SCI inspection 14
Figure 10. Left-lateral view of the damaged Volkswagen at the time of the SCI inspection 14
Figure 11. Overhead view of the deformed and separated bumper beam, with the crush measurement gauge 15
Figure 12. Forward-facing view of the Volkswagen's intruded and heavily damaged instrument panel 17
Figure 13. View of the Volkswagen's displaced and severely damaged steering column 17
Figure 14. Heavy loading evidence visible in the belt path of the Volkswagen driver's seat belt latch plate 18
Figure 15. Rear view of an exemplar 2008 Volkswagen Golf driver air bag module, with the press-fit retainer clasps indicated by the red arrows 19
Figure 16. View of the Volkswagen's fractured steering wheel hub, with fractured clasp locations highlighted by red arrows 20
Figure 17. Law enforcement image of the steering column and damaged electrical wiring/connectors 20