This accident was ruled by crime analyists as a suicide by automobile. The pedestrian involved in the crash was walking directly down the center of Hwy 20, and ended her life by intently stepping directly infront of the moving vehicle.
The driver of the car did in fact swerve in attempt to miss the pedestrian, but after impact the car was facing oncoming traffic; a minivan carrying a family of four. The driver then swerved again further to the left to avoid a horrific head-on collision which launched the car about 500 ft. though desert and brush, coming to a skidding stop just feet before the drop of a 30 ft. revene.
There were several witnesses to this accident as well who were unfortunate enough to watch the entire scene unfold.
Alcohol was never ruled a factor by either the investigating officers on-scene or by any other authority involved in the incident.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of this poor woman, but the real victims in this case would in fact be the newly engaged young couple who were driving the car that she chose to use as a weapon to end her life.
Thank you Richard Burton for the wonderful work you do with your newspaper.
