A shoo-in for the Darwin Awards (maybe)

richlevy • May 22, 2007 9:33 pm
From here. When I originally heard about this, I thought that he was killed running from his car. Now that I read that he was in the car, it's hard to know if he was trying to kill himself too or if he was just really stupid.

I think that suicides don't count for the Darwin Awards, so I guess the answer would determine his eligibility. Personally, I think the reason he wasn't wearing a seatbelt was so that he could run for it.

LOS ANGELES – Homicide detectives are trying to determine the motive of a man who they believe attempted to kill his girlfriend when he parked their car in the path of a commuter train. Brandon J. Funches, 21, died Monday when debris from the crash struck him after he had been ejected from the car when the train hit, authorities said. The girlfriend, whose name was not released, was seriously injured, but expected to survive.
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Witnesses told police Funches, of South Los Angeles, was arguing with his girlfriend before he drove the car in front of a group of other vehicles stopped at a rail crossing and parked on the tracks. Moments later a northbound Metrolink train slammed into the car, Officer Mike Lopez said. The train hit the rear passenger side of the car, spinning it around and ejecting Funches. The girlfriend, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken to a hospital in critical condition. She was later upgraded to stable condition, Lopez said.
Detectives believe that Funches placed the car on the tracks with the passenger side facing the train in hopes of killing his 23-year-old girlfriend. They were also investigating whether he intended to commit suicide, as well.
busterb • May 22, 2007 9:44 pm
Got my vote.
glatt • May 23, 2007 10:05 am
It was an attempted murder-suicide. Not so rare. Usually, they crazy guy will do it with a gun and then have a face off with the cops surrounding their house before killing themselves. Don't you guys ever watch local news? Fox always reports this stuff.

This time it was a train, and the girl got away (sort of.)
xoxoxoBruce • May 23, 2007 7:26 pm
He obviously bought that car with the intention of killing her.
Ibby • May 23, 2007 9:05 pm
Keep gun-thread rage in the gun threads, dude... seriously.
xoxoxoBruce • May 23, 2007 9:44 pm
Pipe down.
richlevy • May 23, 2007 9:52 pm
I'm still not convinced the suicide was intentional. It sounds like he might have had his seatbelt off and the door open when the train hit. Maybe the cops can figure it out.
xoxoxoBruce • May 23, 2007 9:58 pm
I think it's safe to say he probably had his seatbelt off, but having his door open wouldn't be necessary if it was anything like the train/car collisions I've seen on the tube and the net.
wolf • May 24, 2007 12:22 am
Another version of the story indicated that he was fleeing the train crossing when the train hit the car and then his car hit him.

Stupidity, not suicide. He should get the Darwin.

Now, all women, take heed ... don't argue with a guy when he's driving.
xoxoxoBruce • May 24, 2007 12:30 am
Yeah, that's what Rich said at first.
zippyt • May 24, 2007 12:56 am
instant karma for trying to kill his girlfriend .
Urbane Guerrilla • May 24, 2007 1:13 am
I agree with zippyt.
piercehawkeye45 • May 24, 2007 7:09 pm
This, children, is why you wear seatbelts.
Yznhymr • May 24, 2007 7:25 pm
Here's another Darwin candidate, but with a twist. A man running from the cops came to a stop, jumped off of a bridge to get away, and fell to his death. Turns out, he wasn't who the cops thought he was!

Story here: http://www.wmctv5.com/Global/story.asp?S=6566258
richlevy • May 24, 2007 10:22 pm
[SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]They only knew Williams by his nickname so even after Williams jumped to his death police assumed he was the man they were looking for.[/COLOR][/SIZE]
Was his nickname by any chance 'stupid'?
Lamplighter • Sep 3, 2013 1:43 pm
PDX had it's candidates on the Columbia River for this award over this past Labor Day weekend...

Who dat com'n down my riv'r blow'n d'er horn at me ?
[ATTACH]45362[/ATTACH]

D'is here is my slot in d'is hogline - an' I ain't mov'in
[ATTACH]45363[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]45364[/ATTACH]
glatt • Sep 3, 2013 2:09 pm
Is that the same ship in all three pics? One seems to have shipping containers on it, and one doesn't. But that might have an angle of shot/zoom lens explanation.
Lamplighter • Sep 3, 2013 2:42 pm
No, different ships all day

Here is another pic... all of these pics were posted on a sports fishing forum
There is one comment saying this boat and occupants escaped safely,
but was later ticketed by the Coast Guard for "not giving way" under (Rule 9).

A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall
not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only
within a narrow channel or fairway.
Gravdigr • Sep 3, 2013 5:38 pm
They're gonna need a bigger boat.
Lamplighter • Sep 27, 2013 8:38 pm
Fox31
KDVR.com
Angry drivers, both licensed to carry concealed weapons, shoot each other
IONIA, Mich. — Two armed Michigan drivers died after they
apparently “stood their ground” against each other Wednesday.
<snip>
Witnesses told the station that one man was following another man&#8217;s car too closely.
After some hostilities, the first driver pulled into a car wash parking lot and the other driver parked near him.
The driver of the following car drew a gun, prompting the other man to do the same.
They both opened fire, killing each other.
<snip>
sexobon • Sep 27, 2013 9:59 pm
Less traffic for the rest of us.