The driver of this Honda CRV suffered first, second and third degree burns on her face, neck and hands after her car exploded. Investigators suspect the cause of the explosion may have been the propane tank she was driving home in the back of the car.
Loretta Gray, the stunned driver of the CRV, was helped out of the car by police officer Perry Locke who witnessed the explosion, according to Fox 19:
“I helped her get on the ground. The next thing I know she’s trying to get up and she’s screaming... she’s screaming. I immediately know it was because she was burned. I could tell she was burned on her upper extremities and her torso,” he said. “I just tried to hold her by her belt buckle and I am still calling for help to get cars over here and get us away from the vehicle in case another explosion might happen. All she could do was scream. Screams that I will never forget for the rest of my life. She wasn’t able to speak.”
Photos also show a bag of charcoal at the scene, among the extensive damage to the CRV that shows airbags deployed, the roof panel curled up, the rear hatch and rear bumper missing, and door panels ripped open.
Investigators suspect that the propane tank was leaking, but are not sure what may have ignited the explosion. Gray, who is now recovering at home, told them it was in the back of the car and she wasn’t smoking at the time, according to Cleveland.com.