Two Austin, Texas police officers were injured while trying to help a distraught man who apparently tried to commit
suicide via car explosion:
Fire officials say officers were trying to talk to a driver around 2 a.m. at the Stassney Food Mart on 5717 South Interstate 35. When officers tried to get closer to him, he jumped back in his car and said, “I think I’m going to set the car on fire,” according to APD dash camera video. A few seconds later, a loud pop is heard and fire engulfed the vehicle.
Police believe he was attempting to commit suicide and as you can see on the video, he even attempts to get back in the burning vehicle.
One of the officers trying to help the man captured the explosion, which sent the officer flying, on his dash cam: