"...I’m here to state that I’ve seen dozens of cars hit walls and stuff at high speeds and the number of them that I have observed to eject their powertrains and immediately catch massive fire is, um, ah, zero.
Modern cars are very good at not catching fire in accidents. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which is an evolutionary design from a company known for sweating the safety details over and above the Euro NCAP requirements, should be leading the pack in the not-catching-on-fire category."
Best video I’ve seen of the immediate aftermath of wreck:
http://ktla.com/2013/06/19/driver-killed-in-fiery-car-crash-in-hollywood/#axzz2Wc62vgTS
We don’t live in a free country.
probably has something to do with Princess Die. I mean, Di.
The crash does seem odd. I was wondering if there is some design flaw with that car? or it impacted at JUST the right area?
Especially since it was a palm tree he hit, they’re pretty springy/spongy -Fort Sumter. I think if the car hadn’t exploded into fire, he would have made it with a few bumps and bruises.
I’ll suggest the time of the accident is the clue:
4:15 am.
I’ve seen a tractor-trailer rig jackknife.
Never seen a car do it.
I think Jeremy [Clarkson], James [May] and Richard [Hammond] could manage it.
Cars don’t “jack-knife.” What the heck are they talking about?
If you’re overweight and stressed and have a heart condition, they give you a puff of “instant heart attack.”
(Untraceable, unless you know the precise exotic compound and test for it the first day or two.)
If you drive a sports car, you jackknife and blow up in a fireball.
Just saying.
As a firefighter is rare for vehicle to catch fire after accident
Also single vehicle accident into tree - aka driver
drunk/stoned/texting
I drive an older C230 Kompressor ,, same car but with a mechanical supercharger rather than a turbo (about an 8 hp difference.. but I have zero turbo lag) ... some points to consider ... If driven for more than a few minutes at high power output levels the turbo will be glowing red/yellow hot and could easily ignite a fuel spray ... the M288 motor (used since 2003) is a direct injection motor so the fuel pressure is VERY high ,, similar to a diesel... after watching the video it appears as if he hit the palm straight on with the one of the frame rails (probably breaking the motor mount on that side),, nothing directly in front to impede the ejection of the motor/trans (remember the motor is held in by three mounts ,, both sides and a mount at the tranny , the driveshaft is usually a slip fit into the tranny...the motor mounts are designed to control left/right rocking motion , not a front/rear pull) at 100mph that would have an enormous amount of kinetic energy.. The battery is underhood in this car and adjacent to the firewall ,, a potential source of ignition/sparks.. The car is very well behaved and responds precisely ,, as it is fairly new I would say the chance of a mechanical failure is quite small.. I say chances are this was pilot error ,, the best evidence is the speed and the time of day (night) ,, probably impaired if not by drink then by simply being tired.
The capability to have your engine and tranny eject upon impact is a little known feature of the C-class. It gives the crumple zones a little more working space.
Apparently Mr. Hastings was very agitated and paranoid about unauthorized access to his work just prior to his death, according to friends.
Add in the peculiar nature of the crash itself, and speculation is only natural, even logical.
I am sure General MacChrystal sends his condolences and solicitations.
He supposedly feared for his life and was being investigated by the FBI.
I don’t know why he would have been out at this time of night if he feared for his life.
They also have a video where he tore through a red light moments before the accident.
Was he being chased? Was his car shot at?
Not too unusual, however single vehicle collisions are ALWAYS suspect and generally points to operator cause/error.
Not so sure in this case..
Latest has this as 'perhaps' - a cyber attack - something Hastings would not expect - albeit; he feared 'something'. And something that Snowden probably does know about. (They take control of your car via 'computer programs' that car runs on. That will be our next 'futuristic freedom-sucking MO; from our Government; as they justify their decision based on all the things now; this Gov fraudulently, obsessing over. Your phone in the car; your coffee; ad nauseam; 'distracting' you and leaving you a menace to all on the highway and by-ways of America.
Unless; that is; your are smoking Marijuana; and have a legitimate case of the 'munchies'. But I digress. . .
Meantime. . .Mercedes has not commented on the 'workings' of their car; if only to protest/clarify some of the claims. And suspect; we will not hear a word from them; no matter what.
Bottom line; our Gov a 'Frankenstein'; who in it's darkest personality mode; is capable of anything. We suspect; we know; we fear. . .and Snowden yelling 'fire'; because the smoke is deadly. . .And Hastings too; for that matter.