http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/0704/31pants.html

Exploding pants betray meth suspect

By NORMAN AREY The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 07/30/04

As Daniel Gabriel Doyle sat in a car talking to some social workers earlier this week, his pants exploded.

"A flash of fire went through the car along with a red flare," said Patrick Stanfield, commander of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force. "It burned his clothes and some of the caseworkers' clothes."

Stanfield said the three Walker County social workers apparently caught Doyle at a bad time when they stopped by his home Tuesday. Evidently Doyle, 39, was in the midst of manufacturing a batch of methamphetamine, Stanfield said.

Doyle met the social workers at his front door and walked out to their car and sat down to fill out some forms, according to Stanfield. "The social workers said he kept patting his right front pants pocket," Stanfield said. "Finally, while he was sitting in the back seat, the front of his pants exploded."

Doyle apparently combined red phosphorus and iodine, components used in manufacturing the drug, in a film canister and stuck it in his pocket, authorities said. The chemicals reacted and exploded, causing second- and third-degree burns to Doyle's testicles and leg, Walker County sheriff's Maj. Hill Morrison said.

Doyle was taken to Chattanooga's Erlanger Medical Center for treatment. Friday, he was in the Walker County Jail, charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

"That was one for the books," said Morrison. "I've been in this business for more than 35 years, and that's a first."

Submitted on 07/31/2004

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: Atlanta Journal Constitution,

Copyright © 2004 DarwinAwards.com

Charles said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
I'm going to list this as an HM because until the doctors are through with him, we won't know if he has lost the ability to reproduce. People who make meths should know what they are dealing with... putting a reaction in your pocket is certainly stupid enough to warrant inclusion.

Jack said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
This one is good! I hope that someone keeps us up to date on the final outcome.

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