Police Investigate Death After Car Fire
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JACKSON, Tenn. – Jackson police are asking for help identifying the man found dead beside a burned out car, late Monday afternoon. Investigators said the victim was burned so badly they are unsure of his race. Neighbors who heard explosions then saw flames shoot into the air are worried. “The car exploded about 3 or 4 times,” Darlene Weathers said. Firefighters were initially called out just after 5:30 p.m. after a report of a grass fire. Soon calls started coming in that a car was burning too. When firefighters extinguished the flames they discovered the burned body beside the car. “It’s very scary,” Latiana Douglas said. “It’s very suspicious. Why would they be in the field?” Officers said the car appeared to be stuck in the field off a dead end of Ash Street in east Jackson. Neighbors said the driver went to great lengths to get into the field. That is just one of the factors police said makes this death suspicious. Neighbor Markettus Broyld told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News he was first on the scene. “All you saw was just the outline of the car with flames coming out the windows,” said Broyld. “Then all of a sudden all of the glass was exploding and the tires exploded with flames.” He estimates the debris from the explosions flew up to 20 feet. Not knowing anyone was in the car, Broyld said he tried extinguishing the blaze with a fire extinguisher until the flames grew too large. “I wish I could have done more,” Broyld said. “When the officer told me they really do believe there was somebody in there, I kind of felt a little sick to my stomach.” “We’ll be paying attention tonight to see any strange vehicles are coming through,” said neighbor Tammy Hudson. “We will be watching all night.” Jackson police said they believe the vehicle was a newer model, four-door, black Pontiac Grand Prix. Officers said witnesses in the area told them they had seen a black man driving a similar car earlier in the day. Officials said the body will be taken to the medical examiners office to determine the exact cause of death. If you have any information that could help investigators call the Jackson Police Department at (731) 425-8400.
