Washington man arrested for driving car rigged to explode off AZ cliff in apparent suicide try
By APThursday, May 13, 2010
Man accused of attempting car-bomb suicide in Ariz
OATMAN, Ariz. — A man has been arrested after apparently attempting to commit suicide by driving a car rigged to explode off of a cliff in northwestern Arizona.
Mohave County Sheriff’s officials say 55-year-old James Lyle Pierson, from Washington state, was booked Wednesday on suspicion of disorderly conduct involving a dangerous instrument.
Authorities say Pierson rigged his four-door sedan with propane bottles, gasoline and shotgun shells in an attempt to make the car explode during a crash. But it didn’t go off when he drove off a steep embankment Tuesday night.
Pierson survived, then walked eight miles to Oatman, where he called authorities. He was taken to a hospital where he was treated and later released. Police bomb technicians later rendered the vehicle safe.
