State Police Fatal Accident Unit Releases Findings on Drag Strip Crash that Claimed L

Ruth · 10-09-2008, 07:29 AM

http://www.njsp.org/news/pr091708.html

GaryGoFast · 10-09-2008, 10:53 AM

Post mortem toxicological analysis of blood obtained from Scott Kalitta during his autopsy revealed the presence of Ethanol at a level of 23 mg/dL. This level converts to a BAC percentage of .02% BAC. This level, 25% of the legal limit for intoxication in the State of New Jersey, remains in violation of NHRA rules (Section 1.7, I., B.1.) as well as N.J.S.A. Title 13 Chapter 62 New Jersey State Motor Vehicle Racetrack Regulations.
.

"remains in violation of NHRA rules "

What are they saying here?

SSTRACER323 · 10-09-2008, 11:04 AM

Gary,

I too am confused..... are they saying Scott had a .02 blood alcohol content?

sst1226 · 10-09-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryGoFast

Post mortem toxicological analysis of blood obtained from Scott Kalitta during his autopsy revealed the presence of Ethanol at a level of 23 mg/dL. This level converts to a BAC percentage of .02% BAC. This level, 25% of the legal limit for intoxication in the State of New Jersey, remains in violation of NHRA rules (Section 1.7, I., B.1.) as well as N.J.S.A. Title 13 Chapter 62 New Jersey State Motor Vehicle Racetrack Regulations.
.

"remains in violation of NHRA rules "

What are they saying here?

That caught my eye as well. While I understand that "toxicological blood analysis" is probably standard on any autopsy, using the wording "remains in violation" makes it seem like they intend on taking further action on the matter.

While drinking the least bit and getting behind the wheel of a racecar can be considered foolish behavior, I don't know if it would've changed the outcome of the crash.

By the way, does anyone know about how much .02 is? Most states have a .08 or .10 limit? My first impression is that its not a whole lot.

mcaruso · 10-09-2008, 11:09 AM

Gary,

I too am confused..... are they saying Scott had a .02 blood alcohol content?
__________________
The Doughboy
Lee Lones
S/ST 323L

......That's exactly what it means

Ruth · 10-09-2008, 11:49 AM

I think that is what it is:

“25% of the State legal limit.” he did NOT meet the states level.

My guess is that the NHRA is a 0% tolerance ( but I have no rule book in front of me )

I also think that low levels of Ethanol naturaly show up as you start to decompose after death at but could be mistaken.

Now for the bad part............I wonder how the main stream media will report this on the evening news ?

R.I.P. Scotty

Charlie Yannetti · 10-09-2008, 12:11 PM

My question would be why someone would take the time to convert an ethanol level to a blood alcohol level without explanation....... would ethanol more likely be in something that was consumed or in a fuel mixture that was contained in the car and possibly dispersed during the accident....... if it is in fact the latter, I would find it irresponsible to make the intial conversion, and then publish a report indicating that there was alcohol present because of that conversion......

I'm sure that a more extensive autopsy report exists explaning exactly what caused the presence of ethanol, but we probably will not be privileged to that...... hopefully the Kalitta family will be.......

SSTRACER323 · 10-09-2008, 12:23 PM

Being in the Body Shop my whole life i have washed my hands with thinner, and painted without a mask and .... My body has absorbed enough chemicals to know give me health problems.

Is it possible that the ethanol got into his system from years of mixing fuel,
you always see the drivers mixing there own fuel. He could have absorbed it the same way i have....????

SC183 · 10-09-2008, 12:37 PM

Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug, best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages and in thermometers. In common usage, it is often referred to simply as alcohol.
Ethanol is abbreviated as EtOH, using the common organic chemistry notation of representing the ethyl group (C2H5) with Et. This designation is used both by EMS and Hospital ER staff when describing alcohol intoxication, and is found in most chemistry textbooks as well.

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, carbinol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical compound with chemical formula CH3OH (often abbreviated MeOH).
Methanol is often called wood alcohol because it was once produced chiefly as a byproduct of the destructive distillation of wood. It is now produced synthetically by a multi-step process: natural gas or coal gas and steam are reformed in a furnace to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide; then, hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases react under pressure in the presence of a catalyst.
Because of its poisonous properties, methanol is frequently used as a denaturant additive for ethanol manufactured for industrial uses— this addition of a poison economically exempts industrial ethanol from the rather significant 'liquor' taxes that would otherwise be levied as it is the essence of all potable alcoholic beverages

wsmracing · 10-09-2008, 12:38 PM

Confused..me too, isn't the ethanol, the same fuel thats mixed with the nitro..? If your on fire & inhaling all that.....couldn't that have something to do with it...or if the fuel was spraying on him....?a thorough report that still leaves questions unanswered..?

10-09-2008, 07:29 AM	#1
Ruth Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 125 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	State Police Fatal Accident Unit Releases Findings on Drag Strip Crash that Claimed L http://www.njsp.org/news/pr091708.html

10-09-2008, 10:53 AM	#2
GaryGoFast Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York Posts: 804 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: State Police Fatal Accident Unit Releases Findings on Drag Strip Crash that Claim Post mortem toxicological analysis of blood obtained from Scott Kalitta during his autopsy revealed the presence of Ethanol at a level of 23 mg/dL. This level converts to a BAC percentage of .02% BAC. This level, 25% of the legal limit for intoxication in the State of New Jersey, remains in violation of NHRA rules (Section 1.7, I., B.1.) as well as N.J.S.A. Title 13 Chapter 62 New Jersey State Motor Vehicle Racetrack Regulations. . "remains in violation of NHRA rules " What are they saying here? __________________ Gary Federico S/St, S/G 1814

10-09-2008, 11:04 AM	#3
SSTRACER323 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Coal City, IL. Posts: 775 Likes: 3 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: State Police Fatal Accident Unit Releases Findings on Drag Strip Crash that Claim Gary, I too am confused..... are they saying Scott had a .02 blood alcohol content? __________________ The Doughboy Lee Lones S/ST 323L

10-09-2008, 11:09 AM	#5
mcaruso Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 311 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: State Police Fatal Accident Unit Releases Findings on Drag Strip Crash that Claim Gary, I too am confused..... are they saying Scott had a .02 blood alcohol content? __________________ The Doughboy Lee Lones S/ST 323L ......That's exactly what it means __________________ Marc Caruso S/G 132 S/C C132

10-09-2008, 11:49 AM	#6
Ruth Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 125 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: State Police Fatal Accident Unit Releases Findings on Drag Strip Crash that Claim I think that is what it is: “25% of the State legal limit.” he did NOT meet the states level. My guess is that the NHRA is a 0% tolerance ( but I have no rule book in front of me ) I also think that low levels of Ethanol naturaly show up as you start to decompose after death at but could be mistaken. Now for the bad part............I wonder how the main stream media will report this on the evening news ? R.I.P. Scotty Last edited by Ruth; 10-09-2008 at 03:32 PM.

10-09-2008, 12:11 PM	#7
Charlie Yannetti Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alpine, NJ Posts: 560 Likes: 181 Liked 183 Times in 79 Posts	Re: State Police Fatal Accident Unit Releases Findings on Drag Strip Crash that Claim My question would be why someone would take the time to convert an ethanol level to a blood alcohol level without explanation....... would ethanol more likely be in something that was consumed or in a fuel mixture that was contained in the car and possibly dispersed during the accident....... if it is in fact the latter, I would find it irresponsible to make the intial conversion, and then publish a report indicating that there was alcohol present because of that conversion...... I'm sure that a more extensive autopsy report exists explaning exactly what caused the presence of ethanol, but we probably will not be privileged to that...... hopefully the Kalitta family will be.......

10-09-2008, 12:23 PM	#8
SSTRACER323 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Coal City, IL. Posts: 775 Likes: 3 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: State Police Fatal Accident Unit Releases Findings on Drag Strip Crash that Claim Being in the Body Shop my whole life i have washed my hands with thinner, and painted without a mask and .... My body has absorbed enough chemicals to know give me health problems. Is it possible that the ethanol got into his system from years of mixing fuel, you always see the drivers mixing there own fuel. He could have absorbed it the same way i have....???? __________________ The Doughboy Lee Lones S/ST 323L

10-09-2008, 12:37 PM	#9
SC183 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greeneville,Tn Posts: 7 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: State Police Fatal Accident Unit Releases Findings on Drag Strip Crash that Claim Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug, best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages and in thermometers. In common usage, it is often referred to simply as alcohol. Ethanol is abbreviated as EtOH, using the common organic chemistry notation of representing the ethyl group (C2H5) with Et. This designation is used both by EMS and Hospital ER staff when describing alcohol intoxication, and is found in most chemistry textbooks as well. Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, carbinol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical compound with chemical formula CH3OH (often abbreviated MeOH). Methanol is often called wood alcohol because it was once produced chiefly as a byproduct of the destructive distillation of wood. It is now produced synthetically by a multi-step process: natural gas or coal gas and steam are reformed in a furnace to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide; then, hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases react under pressure in the presence of a catalyst. Because of its poisonous properties, methanol is frequently used as a denaturant additive for ethanol manufactured for industrial uses— this addition of a poison economically exempts industrial ethanol from the rather significant 'liquor' taxes that would otherwise be levied as it is the essence of all potable alcoholic beverages

10-09-2008, 12:38 PM	#10
wsmracing Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NEW JERSEY Posts: 170 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: State Police Fatal Accident Unit Releases Findings on Drag Strip Crash that Claim Confused..me too, isn't the ethanol, the same fuel thats mixed with the nitro..? If your on fire & inhaling all that.....couldn't that have something to do with it...or if the fuel was spraying on him....?a thorough report that still leaves questions unanswered..?