When a fatal accident occurs, the need for swift, thorough investigation is critical—especially when the driver involved was not authorized to operate the vehicle. In this case, social media data exposed criminal activity and uncovered alarming evidence that connected the subject to dangerous, illegal activity.
Background and Scope of Criminal Activity
Our client, a commercial vehicle rental company, requested an in-depth investigation after a truck registered to them was involved in a fatal, multi-car accident. In this case, the driver, who was not an authorized user of the vehicle, became the subject of scrutiny.
The client asked SMI Aware to search for public online information related to:
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The subject’s places of residence and employment
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Associations with specific people or groups
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Potential criminal activity
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Photos or videos of the subject driving
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Comments made by or about the subject
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Any content relevant to the investigation
Key Findings from the Exposed Social Media Data
Through publicly available data, our analysts identified multiple red flags:
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The subject posted videos of himself driving while filming and brandishing heavy firearms, making direct threats toward individuals and law enforcement.
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He appeared to be affiliated with a known criminal organization. In fact, he frequently displaying symbols linked to Gangster Disciple Nation or Freemasonry.
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Numerous posts showed what appeared to be the sale of illegal drugs, including MDMA sold at $5 per pill.
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Public arrest records revealed the subject’s criminal history. Records included a 2017 arrest for participation in an illegal street racing ring. Additionally, he was charged with criminal trespassing, loitering, and driving without a license.
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The subject also made paranoid claims about being watched by the government, alluding to hiding his “empire” and concealing his identity.
Objective, Ethical Investigations That Reveal the Truth
SMI Aware’s role is to conduct impartial, comprehensive online research that supports risk mitigation and legal discovery. In this case, our analysis provided critical evidence that helped our client understand the background and mindset of a key figure in a deadly incident.
Our social media investigations are repeatable, reliable, and tailored to the scope provided by the client. We do not draw conclusions—we simply uncover what’s publicly available and relevant.
Want to see what a social media investigation can uncover? Contact us to request a sample report or speak with a representative.
