Roads – The most unpredictable crime scenes.
How ‘Driving Dead’ Depicts Fatal Collisions and Investigations
Roads are among the most unpredictable crime scenes. Unlike planned robberies or premeditated murders, fatal collisions often occur in seconds, leaving behind devastation, unanswered questions, and, in some cases, a trail of criminal activity.
My book, Driving Dead, immerses readers in road policing, where each shift introduces a new crisis, and fatal accidents are seldom as straightforward as they appear. With compelling realism, the novel follows Traffic Sergeant Jake Jordan as he probes into a series of lethal crashes, only to unveil a troubling pattern that implies something far more sinister than mere reckless driving.
When a Crash Becomes a Crime Scene
From the opening chapters, Driving Dead clarifies that traffic collisions can be far more complex than they appear. What looks like a routine crash might be:
• The result of foul play (tampered brakes, road sabotage, or even staged collisions).
• Linked to criminal activity, such as drunk driving, County Lines, or insurance fraud.
• An act of revenge, with deliberate intent masked as an accident.
Jordan, a seasoned officer, knows that a suspicious collision will be investigated with the same scrutiny as a crime scene. His experience tells him that some crashes don’t add up, and as he delves deeper, he realises he may be dealing with a serial offender rather than mere bad luck on the roads.
The Psychological Toll of Road Policing
Driving Dead doesn’t just present as a procedural investigation—it also captures the emotional burden that fatal crashes place on officers.
• First responders face gruesome scenes, often arriving too late to save lives.
• Investigators must piece together the truth, balancing forensic evidence with the emotional weight of speaking to grieving families.
• Officers like Jordan develop an almost sixth sense for when something isn’t right—yet their instincts are constantly tested against legal protocols and limited resources.
For Jordan, every crash isn’t just a case—it’s a reminder of how fragile life is. And when the pattern of deaths suggests deliberate intent, the stakes become personal.
The Reality of Investigating Road Crimes
Unlike traditional murder mysteries, where the crime scene is static, road crime investigations present unique challenges:
• Evidence is often destroyed – Tyre marks fade, vehicles are removed, and weather conditions erase crucial clues. Even a police car, ambulance or fire engine could be sitting on top if crucial evidence.
• Witness accounts can be unreliable – High-speed crashes happen in seconds, and bystanders often have conflicting recollections. It is a known fact that if two people watch the same incident from the same location, the evidence they report can be totally different.
• Determining intent is difficult – Was the driver distracted? Drunk? Or was the accident orchestrated to look unintentional?
My background is in roads policing (Traffic), and I would like to think it shines through as Driving Dead provides a realistic look at how officers untangle these questions. Through Jordan’s relentless pursuit of the truth, readers get an inside look at what it takes to investigate road crime—and just how often the line between accident and murder is blurred.
Why You Should Read Driving Dead
If you enjoy crime fiction that goes beyond typical murder investigations, Driving Dead offers a fresh perspective. With its gripping plot, authentic police procedures, and emotionally charged storytelling, it delivers a thriller that will make you see every road incident in a new light.
Driving Dead was also a finalist in the Page Turner Awards, and can be purchased from the following outlets:
