Car fire set off suspicions as crew fought it (Smith Tennesee License Scandal)

GoMemphis ^ | 15 Feb 2002 | By Bill Dries

[null and void]

LOL! This thread needed that!

[weegee]

Not to discount your speculation but the fire department said that the fire seemed to re-ignite/keep feeding itself as they were putting it out. This points towards some sort of device internal to the car (something still could have been tossed in the car to start the fire but she probably would've smelled the accelerant that would have to act as a fuse in that case). She had gasoline on her.

The other avenue of speculation is "was she unconscious and dowsed with gasoline"? If the fireball is quick enough, this does not need to be the case. I talked briefly with a friend of mine who says that she's been told that she would've died in her car fire if someone hadn't pulled her out (as it was she got considerable scarring on her hands and arms that she still has 20 years later).

[Nita Nupress]

Your theory was much more interesting to read than JimBo's. ;-)

[Fred Mertz]

My belief in this case is that the accelerant-containing vessel was tossed into her vehicle at some point - perhaps as she had been flagged down by someone.

That's a pretty lame theory. What was she doing about 40 miles from home late at night on the road? Maybe meeting with the Dixie Mafia for instructions?

[weegee]

It's been awhile since I went to WND, but I've been checking Drudge daily and haven't seen him cover this case at all. I'm not seeing anything on WND today either and no commentaries about Tennessee's DL ID for illegals (which even Tennessee had an editorial against yesterday).

I see that NY Times is running the story (don't know about NY Post). Is this story getting national play (a name search on the people who were arrested primarily turned up recent articles about the arrest) and there were only about 5 or 6 papers running the story online (from that search).

[GailA]

Archy found the links for the Illinois CDL scandal and has linked them to the thread on this case. Click Here

[weegee]

It's unusual to be out so late at night (on a Sunday when crowds at bars are smaller) the night before having to make a formal statement.

[stryker]

Just curious. I can't remember. How close did this happen to where the biochemist studying viral infection antidotes allegedly committed suicide recently, his car found running on a bridge with the keys in it, and his body found days later in the river below?

[_Jim]

Your theory was much more interesting to read than JimBo's. ;-)

I said the same without as many words.

So, do you like 1) the stripped-down bare essentials, 2) a fluff-filled piece, 3) a detailed one (PhilDragoo was detailed BTW) or 4) a really juicy conspiracy theory?

I am going to hazard a guess that you A) failed read any of the previous give and take in this thread, or B) failed to read any of the previous give and take for content - in which I *did* converge on 'a theory'.

I guess my real error is not CNN-izing it enough to your taste and satisfaction ...

[razorback-bert]

Was she going east or west on hwy 72?

Where was she going or coming from?

I have not see either discussed.

[_Jim]

That's a pretty lame theory.

It also works, doesn't reek of complicated conspiracy aspects (that's why YOU seem to object) AND -

- it is most likely what happened.

End of story.

[razorback-bert]

I thought I heard the windows on her car were up.

Then maybe _jim is a BLOND!

[Inge_CAV]

I believe I read somewhere on one thread that she was traveling West on Hwy72 somewhere between the Miss State line and Collierville.

[Nita Nupress]

All I want to know is what makes you assume a grown woman would roll her window down as she's being flagged down in the middle of the night.

[razorback-bert]

Then she was heading somewhere in Mississippi or Alabama.

Wonder if she had family there?

[null and void]

Just curious. I can't remember. How close did this happen to where the biochemist studying viral infection antidotes allegedly committed suicide recently, his car found running on a bridge with the keys in it, and his body found days later in the river below?

Someone on another thread said it was in the same county...

[maestro]

Your#94)

All I want to know is what makes you assume a grown woman would roll her window down as she's being flagged down in the middle of the night.

"Uniforms",......police, fire, or emergency.

:-(

[Vigilantcitizen]

How about this ?

If you used the remote control circuit of a c.d. changer, to maybe set off a model rocket ignitor that is inside some kind of gas/black powder device. The small powder charge makes sure the gas disperses somewhat before ignition.

Obviously, whoever did this don't care if the F.B.I. knows what they used. Kinda crude but flamboyant way to take someone out.

To the previous poster who said this looks like the dixie mafia, let me just say that people found shot to death in Atlanta who just happen to have "crack" on their persons don't get much investigation time.

[Inge_CAV]

I Think she was headed home from the direction of the Miss. state line. It is very possible she had friends or family that lived down that way.

[weegee]

Her children are said to be adults now. Don't know about parents or extended family. The press has said that "her family" is refusing to talk at this point.