"Police Report about an Accident"
Reading Lesson

Key Words

Below you will find a list of key vocabulary you need to know to understand the lesson. Click on each word to hear it and practice its pronunciation.

nearly: almost; not completely
approach: to come closer to someone or something
claim: to say that something is true

The Witness Interview

The conversation between Mrs. Peters and Officer Stevens is reproduced below. Read the three reports that follow the dialogue and identify which one is correct.

OFFICER STEVENS – Thanks for coming in to the station Mrs. Peters. We need to get a report on what you saw during the traffic accident.

MRS. PETERS – No problem. I’m happy to help.

OFFICER STEVENS – What’s your full name?

MRS. PETERS – My name’s Lorna Ann Peters.

OFFICER STEVENS – Where do you live?

MRS. PETERS – I live at 3157 Fig Street.

OFFICER STEVENS - Where were you during the accident?

MRS. PETERS – I was on the street corner. I was waiting for the traffic light to change.

OFFICER STEVENS – What did you see?

MRS. PETERS – The traffic light changed and the red car stopped suddenly. Then the blue car hit the red car.

OFFICER STEVENS – Was the red car driving fast?

MRS. PETERS – Yes, it was going very fast and then it stopped suddenly at the traffic light.

OFFICER STEVENS – I notice you wear glasses. Is your eyesight good?

MRS. PETERS – I’m getting older but I can still see OK.

OFFICER STEVENS – Thank you for your time Mrs. Peters. I just need you to sign this police report.

MRS. PETERS – No problem.

Police Report #1

POLICE REPORT

DATE: October 14

OFFICER: Richard Stevens

LOCATION OF ACCIDENT: The intersection of Main Street and First Avenue

WITNESS: Lorna Ann Peters, 3157 Fig Street, Anytown, CA 54321 (619) 123-4567

WITNESS ACCOUNTS:
When the accident occurred Mrs. Peters was crossing the street. The red car, which was driving very fast, nearly hit her. The driver of the red car stopped suddenly to avoid hitting her. Then the blue car crashed into the red car causing the accident.

Police Report #2

POLICE REPORT

DATE: October 14

OFFICER: Richard Stevens

LOCATION OF ACCIDENT: The intersection of Main Street and First Avenue

WITNESS: Lorna Ann Peters, 3157 Fig Street, Anytown, CA 54321 (619) 123-4567

WITNESS ACCOUNTS:
Mrs. Peters, who was waiting on the corner of Main Street and First Avenue, says that she saw two cars, a blue car and a red car, quickly approach the intersection. Then, when the traffic light changed, the blue car stopped suddenly at the intersection causing the red car behind to crash into it.

Police Report #3

POLICE REPORT

DATE: October 14

OFFICER: Richard Stevens

LOCATION OF ACCIDENT: The intersection of Main Street and First Avenue

WITNESS: Lorna Ann Peters, 3157 Fig Street, Anytown, CA 54321 (619) 123-4567

WITNESS ACCOUNTS:
Mrs. Peters claims that she was standing on the street corner when the accident happened. She says that she saw a red car that was approaching the intersection very quickly. Then, when the traffic light changed, the red car stopped suddenly at the intersection. The blue car, which was following, then hit the red car.

Writing

Describe an accident you witnessed or were present at.

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