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COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Division of Police is changing the way it investigates fatal car crashed after 10TV News uncovered weaknesses in the investigation of a fatal street-racing crash.
The January 2008 accident killed a man and left an innocent young woman with permanent injuries, 10TV's Glenn McEntyre reported. Now the police department is admitting errors and making changes.
Monica Durban was 20 years old and driving on Interstate 70 near Hilliard-Rome Road when her car was struck head-on by another car driven by George Staton, Jr.
Staton was pronounced dead at the scene. Durban spent six weeks in a coma and suffered brain damage. She has needed extensive physical therapy.
"I feel like I'm trapped inside of this body," Durban told 10TV News.
In court, Staton's wife testified that he was racing Brandon Smith when the crash happened.
Smith was later acquitted on manslaughter and vehicular homicide charges.
10TV News has obtained an internal affairs report that details deficiencies in the police investigation on which the prosecutions case was built.
The Division of Police's legal advisor called the investigation "one of the poorest" he had ever seen.
The internal probe was launched after 10TV News investigated the investigators last July.
"I just think a better job could have been done on our part. I do believe that," Sgt. Shelia Wilson, who oversees the Accident Investigation Unit, told 10TV News last year.
The just-released internal affairs report said both Wilson and her detective failed in their handling of the investigation.
The prosecutor on the case blasted the investigation, listing numerous items she asked for from investigators that were not delivered, including phone records between the race participants and witnesses, and an alleged video of the race itself.
At one point, the prosecutor said investigators simply stopped returning her calls.
"I think the concerns pointed out in this investigation has made the unit more aware, and a little bit stronger," said Lt. Karl Barth.
Barth said the Accident Investigation Unit has made changes, including better training, and three extra layers of oversight on every investigation.
Lee Durban, Monica's father, hopes the changes will make a difference for other crash victims and their families.
"Not one more person should go through what my daughter has gone through," Lee Durban told 10TV News.
Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for additional information.
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