Small Car Bomb in Florida...

CNBC

[illbenice]

We had a report out of Florida last month exactally like this one. What ever happend with that?

[concerned about politics]

Maybe they're ELF. Small bombs for domestic targets. Just can't trust those people, you know.

[Shermy]

Channel 10 Miami

U.S. 1 Shut Down By Car Bomb Explosion - Woman Left In Critical Condition By Blast

Updated: 2:56 p.m. EST February 27, 2002

MARATHON, Fla. -- U.S. 1 has been shut down in the Keys after a car bomb exploded, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers say that the explosion happened near mile marker 50 at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Sombrero Beach Road on Marathon Key.

The blast knocked the car about 15 feet forward, blew off the trunk, exploded the windows and severely injured Evon Leach, 51, who was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital. The explosion also blasted away chunks of pavement and damaged a nearby vehicle, according to Becky Herrin, Monroe County Sheriff's spokeswoman.

Police say Leach was on her way to work as a nurse at a nursing home when the bomb went off.

"The road has been closed since 8:45 this morning. Traffic is backed up tremendously," a Monroe County public information officer said.

The bomb-squad was called in to check out a possible second explosive device, but later they said that the object was not another bomb.

U.S. 1 is closed in both directions. The closure affects traffic only at the mile marker 50 point. U.S. 1 and the Overseas Highway from Miami through Key Largo, and Islamorada through eastern Marathon remains open at this time

[Redleg Duke]

Time to outlaw small cars! Particularly ones with the bomb option.

[Catspaw]

She sounds like she's in pretty bad shape. I hope she makes it.

[cactmh]

Good points regarding the Yankees leaving :)...

[Clemenza]

Let's hear it for my fav car Saturn. Takes a lickin' and keeps a tickin'. One of them American cars doncha know!

Nothing withstands Florida road hazards better than a Saturn! Take it from this owner of 1999 Gold Saturn currently residing in Miami.

[theDentist]

Sure it wasn't a Palm Beach voter suddenly realizing he actually had voted for Gore?

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Driver severely injured in car blast in Florida Keys; bomb blew hole in undercarriage -AP Breaking News
(02-27) 14:36 PST MARATHON, Fla. (AP) -- A bomb blew apart a car at an intersection in the Florida Keys on Wednesday, critically injuring the driver. The 8:40 a.m. explosion blew a hole in the car's undercarriage, blasted away ch...SNIP...

[Shermy]

Update from Keynoter.com

Traffic snarl remains following car bombing - Marathon woman injured

Updated at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27

Traffic remained at a virtual standstill on U.S. 1 in the Middle Keys late Wednesday, as investigators combed through the wreckage of a Saturn auto in which a bomb exploded earlier in the day, injuring a local woman.

Traffic was being rerouted around the scene of the explosion. Since the location is considered a crime scene, investigators were expected to be on the scene for an undetermined amount of time, but definitely into the night.

Evon Leach, 51, suffered numerous broken bones and multiple lacerations after the bomb exploded shortly before 9 a.m. at U.S. 1 and Sombrero Beach Road, mile marker 50.

Authorities say the blast was not a random act, that Leach was targeted. But they would not comment on a possible motive or suspect(s).

Leach was on her way to work at the Marathon Manor nursing home, sitting in the southbound turn lane of U.S. 1 preparing to turn left onto Sombrero Beach Road at 8:45 a.m. when her car exploded, authorities said.

Leach was airlifted to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Trauma Star helicopter. She was listed in stable condition following surgery.

The blast tore a hole in the car's floorboards below the driver's seat and blew out the windows. There were reports that the vehicle also was pushed at least 15 feet forward due to the force of the explosion.

Initially, a second bomb was thought to be in the car, and a bomb squad from Miami-Dade County was sent to the scene. The FBI also had personnel on hand. However, further investigation revealed there was no second bomb.

Anyone with information should contact the Sheriff's Office at (305) 289-2480. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers of the Florida Keys at (800) 346-TIPS.

This site will be updated as news becomes available.

[RaceBannon]

bump for later

[theDentist]

"bump for later"

Are you sure you didn't mean BOOMp for later?

[antivenom]

Thanks...I am VERRRRY interested in this "bomb"...I see a pattern developing...Florida, US#1 (symbolic to America), Cars and pipebombs...new form of terrorism???

HMMMMM the bomb went off at mile marker 50 (symbolic to America)!!!! Hmmmmm was the person sitting somewhere and testing a detonation method???? Seeing if he/she could detonate a bomb at a precise location......like a mile marker!

The other one was at a car lot...Christmas Car (symbolic to Christians) Lot...ALSOOOO on US#1...hmmmm...are these "trial and error" bombs until they get them perfected???

"Randomly" pick cars in lots???? HMMMM nothing like a new form or terror and panic for all Americans...would YOU recognize a PIPEBOMB attached to the undercarriage of YOUR car????

I am finding this "creepy".

[sheik yerbouty]

There are a lot of Muslim arabs in So. Fla. More than a few of the jihadist variety.

[Orion78]

Florida Teacher Accused of Giving Pipe-Bomb Lesson (6/9/99)

[Orion78]

Man guilty of using bombs to sow racial terror at Florida university (6/24/00)

[dglang]

One of those 'durable' Saturns rear ended my Suburban to the tune of $198.00 to my trailer hitch and a little over $3,000.00 to his front end.

I'm glad to be riding in a Suburban. I was in two major accidents while riding in compact cards and I will never again own one.

Both of my daughters against my advise bought Saturns and one was recently in an accident where a drunk driver crossed the center of the road and hit two other cars before hitting her head on. Again, over $3,000.00 in damage to the Saturn.

[vrwinger]

There are times I like the challenge of driving, but not on my morning commute... After Easter, when the Snow Birds fly home, things will get slightly better...

[3D-JOY]

Don't read too much into the Melbourne Car lot bomb. It is along a stretch of Railroad tracks that parallel US 1. This is one in a series of at least three in the area and local suspects are considered the problem.

It only made the national news since it was on a "high alert" date. IMO