“No two cases are alike. Every investigation tells a different story.”
Behind every reconstruction is a team of skilled professionals committed to finding answers. This month, get to know Dan Slick, a Senior Principal and Commercial Vehicle Compliance expert.
What’s your background and how did you end up at Kittelson LLC?
I spent more than three decades with the Wisconsin State Patrol, specializing in commercial vehicle enforcement and safety. After retiring in 2020, I received a call from an old friend, Gary Thomas, who knew Kittelson LLC was looking for commercial vehicle expertise for a case. The original project ultimately settled before I was needed, but the connection led to an ongoing role supporting crash investigations and litigation cases. Since joining in 2021, I’ve worked on a variety of cases and projects that allow me to continue applying the skills and knowledge I developed throughout my career
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Travel and scuba diving are at the top of the list. My wife and I love exploring new places, especially destinations with warm water and great diving. We’ve traveled everywhere from Iceland to the Maldives and Thailand. I also enjoy hiking, homebrewing, and beer judging. In fact, I work part time at a craft brewery near my home in Duluth, Minnesota, where I’ve become the go-to person for filling in wherever help is needed.
How did your work with the Wisconsin State Patrol shape the way you approach crash reconstruction today?
During my final years with the State Patrol, I conducted compliance reviews of trucking companies with known safety violations. That experience closely mirrors the work I do today. While other experts may focus on reconstructing the physics of a crash, I concentrate on carrier and driver compliance, including hours-of-service requirements and other federal regulations. My approach is rooted in investigating whether the company and driver were operating safely and in compliance before a crash occurred.
After 32 years in commercial vehicle enforcement, what do you wish more people understood about commercial vehicle safety?
I wish more people understood how differently large trucks operate compared to passenger vehicles. Trucks have significant blind spots, require much longer stopping distances, and can’t react as quickly as smaller vehicles. Too often, drivers cut in front of trucks without realizing the limitations those vehicles face. When an 80,000-pound truck and a passenger car collide, the outcome is rarely in the car’s favor. Understanding those realities can help everyone make safer decisions on the road.
When you look at a crash scene, what are some of the first things you’re trying to understand?
I’m looking for context. I want to understand the roadway layout, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and any other environmental factors that may have contributed to the crash. Video footage is especially valuable because it can show road conditions and, in many cases, what the driver was doing leading up to the incident. The goal is to gather as complete a picture as possible before evaluating the actions of the driver and carrier.
What part of the work has kept you curious after so many years in the field?
No two cases are alike. Every investigation presents a unique set of circumstances, challenges, and questions to answer. While the core skills remain the same, each case requires a fresh look at the evidence and the events that led up to a crash. That variety keeps the work interesting and gives me the opportunity to continue using the expertise I built over 32 years of enforcement to help others understand what happened and why.
Crash Course:
Can’t-live-without tool?
The internet!
Favorite post-work treat?
Earth Rider Stony Point IPA
Favorite road trip?
Southern Utah, from Moab to Zion National Park.
Roadside detail you always notice?
Equipment violations on commercial vehicles.