[Mitchell]

This article has some different information from earlier ones posted.

The theory here could be correct, but the coroner's reasoning is not given. Here are some questions:

• Is there other evidence of a car accident (a knocked-down sign with missing yellow paint, for instance)? Why was the missing hubcap in front but the yellow paint on the rear of the car?
• What was Wiley doing in the previous several hours? Had he been drinking?
• Would a person terrified of heights get out of his car on a tall bridge and wander close to the edge?
• Would you get out of your car at night under such circumstances and leave the ignition key in your car?
• Why was Wiley headed for Arkansas?

[Mitchell]

Ping, in case you're interested.

[apackof2]

How does checking out any damage to your car translate to falling off a bridge?
The car was on the bridge not over the side of it!
Sorry I am not buying it.
Foul play or suicide.

[pointsal]

WAS HE EVER IN HOPE, ARKANSAS???

[boris]

This was clearly an accident...

..."and I am the Queen of Romania," as Dorothy Parker memorably put it.

--Boris

[Jhoffa_]

And Hit and Runs reported in the couple hours preceeding this incident?

An accidental pedestrian strike could definately push someone over the edge..

I saw one like this once..

[facedown]

ping

[gg188]

What was Wiley doing in the previous several hours? Had he been drinking?

He was at the Peabody? At a banquet of some kind as I recall? No doubt, he could have been imbibing. But enough to "fall" over a high side-rail of a bridge?

Would a person terrified of heights get out of his car on a tall bridge and wander close to the edge?....Would you get out of your car at night under such circumstances and leave the ignition key in your car?

Semi-trucks and cars are crossing this bridge doing 80 mph; I cannot imagine ANYONE STOPPING their car, much less getting OUT---and at NIGHT! (I am sure it happens---I just can't imagine it:-) The doc's father lives in Memphis, the piece indicates, so surely the man knew the danger that lurks in the city, in the downtown area, and you don't just STOP your car and get out at night. Any one who lives in Memphis is keenly aware of the danger and would relate that to guests. Like going to a third-world country, you tell visitors where it is and is not safe to go. It would be unconscionable not to (though of course the local paper, media and government fail to mention it and blow smoke---"Crime can happen anywhere," they say, which is a code-phrase for, "Yes, you're 1000 times more likely to get mugged or raped or killed in the city than in the burbs, but if you SAY it, then you are a racist.")

Why was Wiley headed for Arkansas?

Good question. He could easily have taken a wrong turn, imbibing or not.

As SGH asked, I wonder---broken bones? etc.? What did/will autopsy say?

[razorback-bert]

Having crossed this bridge at least a couple of hundreds times in my life.

I can only qoute Nero Wolfe... Phuif.