(in hospital in serious condition, possible contender)... only time will tell.

Emmaus Man Sets Fire To Clothes While Driving

LONGSWAMP TOWNSHIP

A 41-year-old Emmaus man who accidentally set his clothing on fire while driving is in critical condition with burns at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.

At 4:09 p.m. Thursday, John Kaska was driving east on Magnolia Drive in Longswamp Township when he ''inadvertently caught his clothing on fire,'' according to state police at Reading.

Kaska, of 1015 Harris Drive in Emmaus, told emergency personnel that he was cleaning persistent leg wounds with a bottle of rubbing alcohol while driving and his clothes caught fire when he lit a cigarette, Trooper Michael Kowalick said.

Kowalick, a state police fire marshal, said rubbing alcohol cannot catch fire from a cigarette.

''If it was alcohol, it had to be some other kind of alcohol,'' he said. ''We do know he lit his clothing on fire with an unknown flammable liquid.'' Kowalick said Kaska would not talk to police about what happened.

Kaska pulled over and removed his burning clothes; Kowalick said the initial report to police was that a streaker was in the area.

Kowalick said Kaska's pants were completely consumed by the fire and his shirt was partially burned. The fire was so hot that it bent coins in his pocket.

Kaska was flown to the hospital. His car was destroyed by the fire.

Submitted on 10/01/2005

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: Morning Call 10/1/2005

Copyright © 2005 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
While vehicular accidents are a bit too common, I feel that this individual exercised enough creative stupidity to qualify. More information on this story would certainly help, so if you hear anything further about this gfent's condition, please let us know!

Jack said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
This one is worth keeping if just to get the rest of the story... "the initial report to police was that a streaker was in the area." Talk about adding insult to injury!

Greg said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
Sounds like he's extremely lucky not to be a full DA contender! If I remember, I'll try and look up more detail tomorrow. For now, worth a look.

Jorge said:
Maybe Toss: Lacks Excellence

Charles said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
Actually, rubbing alcohol will burn if he was silly enough to get the 99% instead of the more common 70% stuff. Then spill a lot of it on his pants, and light up...

The Darwin Awards Gift Shop

The Darwin Awards Condom Keep yourself out of the gene pool! A condom in a matchbook, useful for emergency contraception, bachelor parties, frat parties, and important rites of passage. LOADED inside and out with funny quotes and stories. Everyone loves this item! Friends don't let friends reproduce! $13 for Pack of 4