1982
August 29
Patrol Ranger Alice Siebecker attempts to stop a slightly speeding, 1982 Volvo on the South Entrance Road. The driver refuses to stop and Alice gives chase. As Alice’s patrol car comes up from behind, the Volvo suddenly explodes, runs off the road, flies through the air and hits a pumice embankment 500 feet from the road. The driver, Amdris Merzejuskis, a German national, is instantly killed. The body remained in the wrecked car for four hours while the Jackson County Sheriff bomb squad and the F.B.I. check the car over for hidden explosives. The explosion was a military type of hand grenade which was being held in Merzdjuskis’s hand at the time of explosion. The German’s left hand was blown off, along with the victim’s face. Found during a search of the car was a knife, and a pistol, both stored in the driver’s door and a rifle was found in the trunk. Also found was several sets of identifications, all false, and two California license plates. The Volvo had been stolen from a car rental company out of San Diego, California. Merzejuskis is wanted in Texas for drug smuggling charges and had served time in federal prison. Amdris had either planned to use the grenade against the Park Ranger and had accidentally dropped the device or he used the grenade to commit suicide. Alice leaves the Park Service and returns to her former career of violin making.
|