Mary E. Ahern, P.E., - Specializes in Traffic Engineering and Traffic Signal System Design and Optimization. As an Expert Witness, Ms. Ahern has experience in determining causes of vehicle accidents, investigating pavement markings, assisting in case direction and traffic solutions, preparing sight distance calculations and accident site photography analysis. She also teaches traffic engineering and geometrics as an adjunct instructor for Northwestern University.

Areas of Expertise:Red Light Cameras

Traffic Engineering Traffic Counts Traffic Warrant Studies Traffic Signal and System Design Video Vehicle Detection Audible Pedestrian Signal Design Emergency Vehicle Preemption Design Accident Analysis

Red and Amber Clearance Interval Calculations Accident Site Photography Accident Site Video Production Sight Distance Calculations Dilemma Zone Issues Procedure Development Sales Roadway Design

Shaun Pergande, PE - Mechanical Engineering / Transportation

Mr. Pergande focuses on engineering activities that involve mechanical equipment, structures, systems, vehicles and machines. He specializes in accident investigation and reconstruction, failure analysis, testing, computer-aided simulation and analysis of machine design, usage and safety. He has performed product safety evaluations and failure investigations for a broad range of mechanical equipment including power tools, manufacturing processing equipment, material handling equipment, construction equipment and on-road and off-road vehicles. He has investigated workplace accidents that occurred on manufacturing and warehouse floors, on warehouse docks, on construction sites and in the field.

Mr. Pergande has extensive experience investigating and reconstructing on-road vehicle accidents including those involving passenger vehicles, heavy trucks, buses, motorcycles, pedestrians and bicycles. He performs accident site investigations, vehicle and component level inspections and evaluations, "black box" data interpretation, and utilizes state-of-the-art computer modeling and simulation methods in the analysis.

Mr. Pergande has M.S. and B.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is a licensed mechanical engineer in the state of Illinois. View Curriculum Vitae.

Michael Rogers, PE - Mechanical / Transportation

Mr. Rogers is Senior Vice President overseeing the Mechanical/Transportation Group at ITC Experts, Inc. He is responsible for engineering activities involving various types of vehicles and transportation related equipment as well as activities involving machine design and mechanical systems evaluations. He specializes in accident reconstruction and analysis of vehicles and equipment utilized in either on-highway or off-highway applications including material handling and construction equipment. He has specialized knowledge, training and experience in analyzing traffic accidents involving automotive, heavy truck, motorcycle and pedestrian collisions. He has also analyzed various mechanical systems in various types of vehicles including steering, braking and suspension components as well as restraint systems and vehicle structures as well as interpretation of vehicle “black box” data. He is a trained and certified forklift operator with considerable experience in testing, evaluating and analyzing designs of various types of lift trucks and other material handling equipment. His experience includes working with vehicles involved with aircraft ground support, railroad and construction and has conducted numerous vehicle fire investigations. He is a licensed professional engineer in Illinois and Michigan, holds NAFI certification in vehicle fire investigation and has extensive training in heavy vehicle brake systems and accident reconstruction techniques.View Curriculum Vitae.

James Salmon, PhD, PE - Mechanical / Transportation

Dr. Salmon specializes in the investigation and analysis of consumer, military and industrial products and systems in the transportation, industrial and manufacturing environments. He specializes in the investigation of the performance of consumer products, or accidents involving products, vehicles, industrial and military equipment. Dr. Salmon investigates concerns relating to the mechanical design of parts, assemblies or systems, evaluating the real world performance of products. Dr. Salmon has consulted and assisted companies with the design, analysis and test of their products and systems. He specializes in the analysis of product trade secrets and has over 10 years of experience in product reverse engineering and the evaluation of reverse engineering activities. Prior to joining ITC Experts, Dr. Salmon spent 23 years in industry as an engineering leader in research, product design, and manufacturing environments. He has designed, tested and analyzed products and systems in the naval ship, military aircraft, and automobile industries. View Curriculum Vitae.

Mark Fleming, PhD, PE - Mechanical / Vehicle Engineering

Dr. Fleming is an experienced mechanical engineer who uses his specialized knowledge of engineering mechanics and material performance to analyze vehicles and machines, both as part of the design process as well as following an accident. He has inspected and analyzed dozens of vehicles involved in crashes and has performed testing and finite element simulations in his analysis of design performance. He has a background in design engineering and spent six years designing and analyzing off-highway equipment and has used this experience in conducting design analyses and reviews. Dr. Fleming has a Ph.D. in theoretical and applied mechanics studying fracture mechanics and computer simulation methods. He also has a M.S. in theoretical and applied mechanics studying reliability and fracture mechanics. He has a degree in mechanical engineering and is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Illinois. View Curriculum Vitae.

Aaron Jones, PE - Mechanical / Transportation and Materials

Mr. Jones specializes in analyzing the mechanical and materials causes of failures in engineered systems with an emphasis in vehicle and transportation equipment, piping systems, pressure vessels, consumer products, process equipment, and joined components such as welds and bolted joints. Mr. Jones has also conducted investigations related to corrosion of materials and environmental effects on corrosion. His professional activities focus on understanding how applied forces, environment, and material properties influence the performance of materials in service. Mr. Jones also has extensive experience investigating fires on machinery, trucks, busses, and cars. View Curriculum Vitae.

Kevin Jones, PE - Mechanics and Materials

Kevin Jones is a Director in the Mechanics and Materials group at ITC Experts, Inc. Mr. Jones is a highly experienced materials engineer and accident investigator who has examined product failures involving transportation equipment, cranes, power and process equipment, consumer products and medical devices. Mr. Jones applies his materials, corrosion, and forensic science skills to solve complex problems related to the fields of materials science and mechanical engineering. He has extensive experience dealing with fatigue, deformation and fracture of materials, fractography, welding and joining, mechanical testing, and all aspects of corrosion as related to chemical and power plant components, consumer products, construction industry, plumbing and piping, welds and brazing, and consumer products. View Curriculum Vitae.

Crash Group at Robson Forensic

The crash group at Robson Forensic consists of Experts in Crash Reconstruction, Vehicle and Highway Engineering, as well as Commercial Trucking and Fleet Operations. We have experts who specialize in all types of vehicles, including trucks, buses, motorcycles, trains, bicycles, and forklifts. When appropriate, the Crash Group is supported by specialists in disciplines that impact vehicle crashes such as conspicuity, lighting, meteorology, biomechanics, human factors, and dram shop.

Our Crash Group consists of more than 20 experts across 17 locations. Please contact one of our experts directly to discuss your case and determine which of our experts is most appropriate to assist with your matter.

Thomas P. Lacek, P.E.
Crash Reconstruction & Occupant Kinematics

Tom can piece together a vehicle from start to finish: the brake system, transmission, shocks, engine, power steering, air conditioning, fuel systems. He has 30 years experience in automotive engineering with expertise ranging from used and new vehicles to antiques and classics. His vehicle expertise also includes areas of product liability, specializing in engine, transmission, ABS, sudden acceleration, brakes, steering, suspension, seat belt, air bag and other vehicle failures. Tom is a Professional Engineer, a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine and is ASE certified. View Curriculum Vitae

Erin M. Shipp, P.E.
Heavy Truck & Bus Engineering

Erin brings more than 35 years experience designing, testing, and building heavy trucks, buses, motor homes and passenger vehicles. Specializing in vehicles as small as the Chrysler Pacifica and as large as Thomas Built Buses and Freightliner trucks; Erin's experience includes engines and emissions; chassis; bodies and sleeper boxes, including handicap accessibility; as well as overall structural stability for crash performance. Erin is a Professional Engineer with experience testifying in heavy truck cases. View Curriculum Vitae



Erin B. Higinbotham, P.E.
Motorcycle & ATV Expert

Erin is a two-time national champion with the American Motorcyclist Association. He has more than 30 years experience with operation, maintenance and design of motorcycles and ATV's. As a Project Engineer for the Automotive Testing Laboratories and TRC Inc., he completed federal regulatory testing on motorcycles and ATVs. He has completed contract testing for several US and foreign motorcycle manufacturers. Erin has completed plaintiff and defense casework across the United States and Canada. View Curriculum Vitae

The Engineering Institute offers a variety of engineering research, consulting, and public services relating to the Automotive Industry, Fire Investigations and Materials Failure. Their senior engineers have expertise in accident reconstruction, automotive mechanical failures, and expert deposition and trial testimony.

The Engineering Institute conducts accident reconstruction investigations with emphasis on our Rapid Response Team that can help preserve crucial evidence. Located in Northwest Arkansas, they offer Nationwide Service. The Institute's testing department is fully equipped to design a test to fit your needs whether it be a seatbelt buckle mechanism or an entire vehicle, such as an ATV. They also offer accurate and detailed digitization and animation products, including high quality evidence photography and high-speed video.

The Engineering Institute's support staff of business professionals is just a phone call away to help you with technical research, document reproduction, and paralegal needs. They also have techs available for courtroom presentations using Trial Director Software - an easy, paperless way to handle and display exhibits.

Dr. David Renfroe, P.E. is a Principal Engineer at The Engineering Institute. His area of expertise includes Vehicle Dynamics & Rollover Stability Issues,occupant restraint systems including seatbelts and buckles. Dr. Renfroe is licensed as professional engineer in the state of Arkansas. He has published a number of papers on the topics of over-steer, tire delaminations, solid axle tramp, end release seatbelts, and vehicle rollover. Dr. Renfroe has an acute understanding of the interaction of the Seatback and Airbags in occupant motion during vehicle collisions.




Stan Andrews leads F.I.R.S.T. of NWA, our Rapid Response Team. With a Master's Degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering he specializes in Accident Reconstruction, Forensic Engineering, Occupant Restraints, and Agricultural Mechanical Systems. In addition, Mr. Andrews investigates inertial seatbelt and door closure unlatching, and vehicle dynamics issues.





Don Lee, P.E. an important part of the vehicle-stability analysis team is the Senior Tire Consultant at The Engineering Institute. With nearly 20 years of extensive experience, Mr. Lee a professional engineer exhibits his expertise of Tire Design Research, Engineering and Fabrication at Hankook Tire Co. where he managed the overseas technical centers as well as working with organizations in China on tire design, engineering, and manufacturing processes. Don Lee has provided expert opinion in depositions and at trial.

Areas of Expertise: Accident analysis, testimony and mediation in vehicle and pedestrian accidents involving transit, paratransit, schoolbus, motorcoach, special education, non-emergency medical transportation, taxi, shuttle, child transport systems and services; slips and falls; crossing, boarding and alighting; wheelchairs; seatbelts; ADA and accessibility; passenger safety, security and sexual abuse; vehicle design, specification, crashworthiness, quality assurance and product liability; industry standards and practices; driver training and vehicle operation; management, monitoring, supervision and enforcement; maintenance; NHTSA, FTA, FMCSA and USDOT regulations; vehicle testing and certification; contract negotiation and compliance; risk management; planning and system design.

The Firm: Transportation Alternatives is a passenger transportation and automotive consortium engaged in consulting and forensic accident investigation and analysis (more than 350 cases). Specializes in elderly, disabled, schoolchildren.

Education: MURP (Urban and Regional Planning): George Washington University, 1975 BA, English Literature: Rutgers University, 1969

Professional Experience:

President, Transportation Alternatives (1980 to present). Consulted to USDOT, transit agencies, private contractors, social service agencies, municipalities and school districts. Designed several major transportation systems

Chairman/General Manager, PTS Transportation (1982-1992). Directed operations of a 70-vehicle paratransit system for physically and developmentally disabled individuals and a non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) service

President, TAM-USA (1989-1995). Formed and directed a U.S.-Slovene joint venture company which coordinated the design, testing, certification and marketing of a European-manufactured school bus and motorcoach.

Appointments and Memberships:

American Public Transportation Association

National Association of Pupil Transportation

United Motorcoach Association

American Bus Association

Community Transportation Association of America

Association Internationale pour la Sécurité du Transport des Jeunes

National School Transportation Conference (1995, 2000, 2005)

Committee on School Transportation Safety, National Academy of Sciences

Bus Industry Safety Committee (ABA)

Access Committee (APTA)

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