A bizarre case of vehicular suicide

The upper torso of a man was discovered under a highway sign next to tire tread marks leading from the highway and continuing beyond the sign. The victim's lower torso and automobile were also found along the same path 31 m (101 ft) and 41 m (133 ft) beyond the sign, respectively. The decedent was initially thought to be a disposed, homicide victim who had been dismembered by his assailant(s). Accident reconstruction revealed that the victim was the driver of the automobile and was transected by the highway sign stanchion as he protruded through the passenger side window of his moving vehicle. Based on the scene findings, autopsy, and psychological autopsy, the manner of death was classified as suicidal. The criteria used by medical examiners for vehicular suicide are also discussed.