MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

At an accident scene, if one vehicle intentionally rammed another, what should you do?

1. Charge the driver with MDOP

2. Initiate an accident investigation

3. Do not investigate as an accident

The correct answer is: Do not investigate as an accident

When a vehicle intentionally rams another, the incident moves beyond a mere accident and into the realm of a criminal act, particularly involving potential malicious destruction of property (MDOP). Therefore, it is crucial to recognize that this situation warrants a different approach than standard accident investigations. In this context, the proper action is to not treat the event as a routine accident. Rather, it signals that a deliberate act has occurred, which requires a shift in focus from accident management to criminal investigation. This means gathering evidence related to the intent of the driver, the circumstances surrounding the impact, and any other factors that indicate a willful action rather than an accidental collision. Addressing the other options further clarifies why this choice stands out. Charging the driver with MDOP could be a necessary consequence of the investigation if evidence supports that claim, but this step does not come first. Initiating an accident investigation typically involves scenarios where the cause was not deliberate or hostile, which does not apply in this case. The intentionality of the action means the response should be more aligned with criminal procedures rather than an accident report. Thus, the response should prioritize recognizing and documenting the incident as a criminal event instead of classifying it as an accident to be investigated traditionally.