Natural Disease as Cause of Fatal Auto Accidents

To the Editor: It was interesting to read the recent article evaluating the hazard of natural death at the wheel. Two years ago, I undertook a very similar study for the United States Department of Transportation and the Universities Association for Research and Education in Pathology. This study was at the Dade County Florida Medical Examiner's Office with the help of Dr. Joseph H. Davis, medical examiner. We surveyed all motor-vehicle deaths in the county over a 10-year period, of which 612 were originally classified as “accidental auto fatalities.” An extensive investigation was conducted into all information available on each ….