Darwin says, "Accepted into the Archive (near miss)."

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

By Emily Ingram

Tribune-Herald staff writer

Two locals gave new meaning to the term “hot rod” during an ill-fated drive Tuesday.

The lesson they learned: A lighter might not be the best lamp when searching for an upended gas can.

Waco firefighters answering a call around 3 a.m. Tuesday found a burning vehicle had crashed into the side of a home in the 3300 block of Orchard Lane, said Waco Fire Marshal Jerry Hawk.

No one was injured in the blaze, though the motorists’ pride might have been singed.

Firefighters learned the two people in the car ran out of gas earlier in the night, and after fueling up they threw the almost-empty gas can into the backseat, Hawk said. The container overturned while they were driving down Orchard Lane, and one of the motorists tried to search for it with a lighter.

When the gas fumes caught fire inside the vehicle, both people bailed out and watched as the flaming car continued down the road before smashing into the side of a home, Hawk said.

The building didn’t catch fire, but the heat from the flames melted siding and broke a window, Hawk said.

The names of those in the vehicle were not available Tuesday, Hawk said.

Submitted on 03/07/2007

Submitted by: Bill B Peters
Reference: Waco Tribune-Herald, 3/7/07

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

Chip said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Now there's a mental image for you! Two guys standing on the side of the road watching as their burning car continues without them! And to search for an overturned gas can in the back seat with a cigarette lighter! Sure found it quick. Thanks for the story, Bill. One of the best I have seen in a few days.

James said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Somehow this seems different than the usual "Gee, let's peer into the gas tank with a lighter" story. It's certainly much more cartoony, and for crying out loud, WHY would they need a lighter to find something as big as a gas can (most hold 2.5 to 5 gallons, but even a one gallon tank is easy to locate by just feeling around)? I guess these lucky mooks will have some explaining to do!

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