[hermantheshocker]

The driver of a van was approaching a toll booth at a high rate of speed in dense fog. A sharp leftward evasive maneuver was unsuccessful in avoiding impact with the concrete canopy support. The impact point on the vehicle was the right side—the same side of the vehicle as the fuel tank and exhaust system. The fuel tank was ruptured. The vehicle flipped onto its left side, spun around counterclockwise into the adjacent lane, and burst into flames (Fig.2 is a view from the rear of the vehicle). The body of the driver was charred from the fire (Fig.1). Severe charring made determination of injuries difficult. Soot in the distal airways (Fig.3) was correlated with a carboxyhemoglobin concentration of 25 percent. I don't have info on what exactly caused the accident.


Fig.1 The burned body of the driver.


Fig.2 The burned van at the toll booth.


Fig.3 Soot in the distal airways.

Although automobile manufacturers attempt to minimize risks of vehicular conflagration (large and destructive fire), the very nature of motor vehicles makes them prone to fires: a combustion engine, with heated parts, mounted on a rapidly moving vessel, along with a tank of fuel. In crashes involving fire the body is frequently not extracted until burning is advanced.

In cases of vehicular conflagration the tasks of the pathologist are to identify the decedent, to evaluate for the presence of blunt trauma, the severity of the blunt trauma injuries, and to evaluate for evidence of smoke inhalation or other indicators that the person was alive and/or conscious during the fire. These questions frequently become pivotal in subsequent civil litigation.
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This post is for educational purposes only and is nonprofit. Under Section 107 of the US Copyright Act of 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. No copyright infringement intended. This post does not encourage or glorify violence or harassment. All/some of the images have been upscaled and sharpened/enhanced. The text might have been shortened and simplified, and/or reorganized for online view. Dolinak D., Matshes E.W., Lew E.O. - Elsevier 2005

[Karma]

Not a nice way to go.
But slow down in fog ffs!

[William May]

I understand they had a difficult time assessing injuries and the cause of death. Because I graduated from the Colombian School or Forensic Science and Plumbing, I think I can confidently say that:
"HE DIED FROM CRASHING HIS CAR AND BURNING TO DEATH"!
You are all quite welcome!

[Brynjar]

Originally Posted by William May ↗

I understand they had a difficult time assessing injuries and the cause of death. Because I graduated from the Colombian School or Forensic Science and Plumbing, I think I can confidently say that:
"HE DIED FROM CRASHING HIS CAR AND BURNING TO DEATH"!
You are all quite welcome!

It's good to have an expert assessing the situation.

[imbok]

If I die in such a terrible way, I want my headstone to read "Vehicular Conflagration Was His Final Situation".

[Roboticaproxy]

Ugh, flashbacks of literally two weeks ago when I picked up a similar pot roast on a highway out of my town. (Funeral director for context, not weirdo, and coroners employ funeral homes in the areas to do removals because we are too rural for big city removal services).

[techfreak76]

Thie Autopsie Pics are amazing.
The Pictures never lie and tell the truth about the death of the Person.
Thank you for Sharing.

[mfoster1952]

Gonna be a long stay in the burn unit..

[Shadolife]

I guess that's one way to not pay the toll....or is it?