1990 Lincoln Town Car: Case Study Overview

Lincoln Town Car, showing extensive crash and fire damage

A 1990 Lincoln Town Car was being driven on a straight, two-lane road in the rain when the driver lost control. The Town Car spun, crossed the centerline and was struck in the rear right by the front-right of a Chevy C20 van. The two vehicles were originally traveling in opposite directions; the road had a speed limit of 65 mph. Delta V of the Lincoln was estimated to be 50-60 mph by the crush energy method.

Lincoln Town car, showing total burn damage

A witness reported that fire began in the Town Car immediately after impact. By the time the fire department arrived approximately nine minutes later the vehicle was fully engulfed. All four tires had blown by that time. The fuel tank was ruptured in several locations, the largest of which was a 4 inch long tear in the bottom of the tank caused by a tire lug wrench, Collision forces pushed the wrench through the floor of the trunk and the tank, puncturing the top and bottom of the tank. Other punctures from trunk items, as well as tears at folds and seams were evident. Ignition of gasoline was likely from mechanical or electrical sparks during collision.

Both occupants of the Town Car were fatally injured. The driver died from multiple blunt force injures. The passenger was partially ejected; records were not available to determine the cause of death of the passenger. Police reported that the driver of the van was not injured, two adults and one child had incapacitating injuries, and two children had non-incapacitating injuries. One of the adults, sitting in the right front seat of the van, had a dislocated hip and shoulder.