Michael Hastings Car Crash Facts And Why I Don't Think He Was Murdered

reply to post by ShadellacZumbrum


You can control via bluetooth. The mercedes are equip with bluetooth. U can prob attach a bluetooth transmitter or bluetooth phone under the car and connect it directly into the bluetooth on the car and control it that way.

I've been reading this thread and was waiting for someone to speak about the GPS System which I dont care what anyone tells me but it could be hacked, Just like Computers have MAC addresses,or any other electronics with A Code identifier can be easier hacked if you know what you doing and have the equipment to do so. I am sure any system can be hacked into it if you know the technical background to it which I dont doubt any Gov agency do have. Another thing I want to mention is Nicolas Tesla, If he could have invented and have draw up many exotic things ahead of its time, I have no doubt this Gov. has taken some of his work and reproduced or tried to reproduced everything he wrote down. This Gov could have technology ahead of our times, just like the Nazi had their own tech which was ahead of the time

but here's a link with a video about GPS hacking... and was created in 2011 so imagine what they came up within these 2 years alone which we all know technology for us "normal consumers" always changing every 6-8 months or less if there's a lot of money involved... (ex.. DARPA Drone )

Also want to add, Someone or the poster said (i 4got) if something is hacked, one can only control one thing at a time but that isnt true, If a hacker wanted to attack a business mainframe (network,hubs,switches,etc), all they have to do is get into that mainframe and download every computer/device that is connected to that system and remotely upload a script or manual control and get info on anything that is connected to that network, even if the car is a closed system.. it still can be broken in by with just one single leaked hole sort of speak ,if you know the system information and other information..

usatoday30.usatoday.com...

That is possible because car alarms, GPS systems and other devices are increasingly connected to cellular telephone networks and thus can receive commands through text messaging. That capability allows owners to change settings on devices remotely, but it also gives hackers a way in.

PS... more links to Electronic Hacking... a simple google search wont hurt

janderson99.hubpages.com... - Cant find the original date but the link been updated on May 25, 2013 but see a comment dating 2 years ago to just 5 months ago, writing this so the reader can know it was updated and created way before what happened to Michael Hastings so they wont assume its connected"conspiracy"

Hackers can hijack the car's computer systems to disable the brakes, change the cruise control, turn the engine on and off, and control most of the electrical systems such as the lights, climate control, odometer, locks and your radio.

Here's a list from the above link...

Which Systems are Vulnerable and Can be Changed Remotely?

Engine speed
Brakes
Door locks
GPS navigation systems
Luggage Compartment, Trunk and Hatch
Engine Cover
Car Horn and warning systems
Radio and music systems
Fuel Gauge
Speedometer Readings
Panel illumination
Engine performance and shut down
Windscreen wipers and washers
Headlights and Interior lights
Ignition locks
Car security systems and steering locks
Electronic Brake Control Module
Automatic Parking Systems
Emergency Braking Systems


Are RFID ignition systems secure?
electronics.howstuffworks.com...




A New Cyber Concern: Hack Attacks on Medical Devices
www.scientificamerican.com...
^^Even those arent Safe...

Wires? wires!? we no need no stinkin wires!

If you’ve been locked out…Lock and unlock vehicle doors using the mbrace mobile application. Simply enter your mbrace account number and secure PIN, and press the Lock or Unlock button to send the request to your vehicle. Currently the Door lock functionality is available for the following Mercedes-Benz models: MY07 and later S-Class and CL-Class, MY08 and later C-Class, MY10 and later E-Class and GLK-Class.

www.technofriends.in...

I dont have that feature on my old S-Class, I just leave it unlocked...

I think I'll avoid getting that new A45

Originally posted by cartenz
Wires? wires!? we no need no stinkin wires!

If you’ve been locked out…Lock and unlock vehicle doors using the mbrace mobile application. Simply enter your mbrace account number and secure PIN, and press the Lock or Unlock button to send the request to your vehicle. Currently the Door lock functionality is available for the following Mercedes-Benz models: MY07 and later S-Class and CL-Class, MY08 and later C-Class, MY10 and later E-Class and GLK-Class.

www.technofriends.in...

I dont have that feature on my old S-Class, I just leave it unlocked...

I think I'll avoid getting that new A45

Sorry, but what is the point of your post?

To the OP... We control rovers on Mars. We have autonomous vehicles that can go around race tracks controlled via satellites. Cars have numerous, complex computers. To say you would think a hacking device implanted into the Mercedes would be obtrusive around the legs doesn't makes sense to me. I respect that you read through the manual, but the tech described inside... is how you deduced that the necessary device would stick out? Do you know what would be required for a hack? What it's shaped like? How big it would need to be? If it would even need something bigger than a thumb drive to be accessed remotely?

It'd be a pretty dumb method to require something to stick out in the leg area of a car... even old school bombs from the old days didn't do this.

reply to post by ShadellacZumbrum


Okay, first of all, all someone has to do in order to access the car wirelessly is plug in (through a wire) a device that has wi-fi capabilities.

Secondly, three-letter agencies routinely have technology not available to universities - for example, with my nuclear technology company, we don't have access to INL in Idaho Falls 6 days out of the week because the F.B.I. is working on secret projects (which were more than likely derivatives of projects our company was working on, which are scorned by University scientists).

In many cases, we have learned from dealing with University scientists that they are not interested in / find new technologies to be a threat to their academic prestige.

The government, meanwhile, has piles of patents that we can borrow if we want in order to see if there are any that we'd like to use for our business.

Also, I would like to add corporate espionage is fairly common - thus explaining why our inventions are popping up in other companies and the govt.

Originally posted by introV

Universities possess some of the smartest people on the planet. The Alphabet Agencies Also have some pretty smart people though I have Never heard of an alphabet agency making a technological breakthrough. Although I am smart enough to know that they certainly keep that kind of information Super Secret. The point is that the agencies more than likely don’t have much better technology than the universities.

NASA

They can control a remote control car on Mars, controlling a car would be piece of cake if the Gov wanted to do so.

Not making any speculations about the topic at hand, just sayin'

edit on 30-6-2013 by introV because: (no reason given)

The rover was made to receive wireless signals this car was not.

reply to post by ShadellacZumbrum

As a forensic scientist replying to your
OP, I would say your methodology is prettty good but your application of that methodology leaves a lot to be desires. You give a workable formula for the impulse force, but then, much like many of my students, completely lose it in dealing with the units. You give the force in "tons", when it is clear from the formula itself that that can''t be right. Tons is an acceptable unit for mass, but what happened to the distance and time units mandated by the "v" for velocity in the formula. The correct unit for force is the Newton, which is defined as 1 kg m/sec^2. There, we have our distance and time units.
Then, in your actual computation, you forget to square the velocity
So, you had the right idea, but just didn't execute it very well.

reply to post by F4guy


Thanks for pointing out the error.

My work on paper looks like holy hell. I think I had a hard time deciphering it. because it is so sloppy.

But immediately one thing I did notice was that the V (velocity) should be shown as m./Sec. and then squared. I think originally I had calculated as ft./sec and then converted it.

I am certain that it is calculated correctly but somehow I managed to mangle the translation onto the post.

I calculated that thing several times just to be sure that the figure was correct.

I think there is still confusion regarding the "Wireless Hacking".

Again for the sake of argument let us say that he was hacked.

One thing that has been confirmed here is that fact that the devices were designed in such a manner that a Manual Input will Override a Wireless Input.

Which basically means that if a hacker locks your door you simply have to just push the unlock button and it unlocks. So I really don't buy the idea that If he was under wireless control that his inputs would have been disregarded.

I guess you could say that it is more of a Safety Feature.

Originally posted by amfirst1
reply to post by ShadellacZumbrum

 

You can control via bluetooth. The mercedes are equip with bluetooth. U can prob attach a bluetooth transmitter or bluetooth phone under the car and connect it directly into the bluetooth on the car and control it that way.

edit on 1-7-2013 by amfirst1 because: (no reason given)

That may be true, but here again that Requires a Physical attachement.

If a car has On Star system in it then it can be shut down remotely.

reply to post by Domo1


Thanks for the response. You have posed some very good questions.

Your number one question about the engine and tranny being ejected is a fantastic question.

I have read many many articles that make note of this. Yet, not one article I have read makes any indication of how it may have happened. As far as that goes I have read allot of other threads that make note of how unusual that is and here again no one making an attempt at how it might be possible.

I personally believe it can be explained by the math given the force of impact. I have also recognized the fact that the impact was head on leaving the possibility that the engine and transmission should have been pushed backward and not ejected forward.

On a side note I am willing to entertain the idea that seconds after the crash someone ran over and removed the engine and tranny and dragged it 100 feet away. However, I would really need to see some facts to back that up.

As for the witnesses, I mention that there is a potential reliability issue. Basically because everyone sees something different. However, they all agree that the vehicle was traveling at a super fast speed. We will have to see the facts as far as the scrape marks made by the vehicle when it bottomed out. This would give us an exact figure as to the actual speed by the measurement of these marks.

I think your comment about possible suicide houses some merit. Although, I do not think that it was suicide. Typically someone like that would have left a note. Especially a journalist. There are also warning signs of Most people who are going to do something like that.

I highly suspect operator or mechanical failure. Some might argue that tampering with the vehicle could have caused a mechanical failure. But as I mentioned before there is going to be some kind of evidence.

Another noteworthy item is the fact that If someone had wireless control of the vehicle those inputs would have been recorded. As it reads in the manual ALL of the data from the recorders was transmitted the second the crash occurred. So those inputs would show Exactly what was going on.

I also think this is Extremely important to add. . .. . .

When the facts come to light how many people do you suspect are going to jump on the 'ol "Alphabet Agency got to the investigators and made them concoct a story" bandwagon?

My guess is many. Especially when they show facts that prove it was either a true mechanical failure or operator error. Everyone who believes in the conspiracy theory is going say that the Data Was Bought or Manufactured.

Is there a pic of emergency services/coroner extracting the body or even one under a sheet? I haven't found one. Every pic is of the car burning or the aftermath, but none of the body. There isn't even a body visible in the pic of the car before the door was removed.

I'm not asking for gore. However in many cases like this, there is usually a pic of a body on a gurney under a sheet. I only ask because if it's possible to remote control the car, maybe Hastings wasn't in it. Maybe he was spirited away for interrogation and the crash was just a cover for this.

Originally posted by Bilk22
Is there a pic of emergency services/coroner extracting the body or even one under a sheet? I haven't found one. Every pic is of the car burning or the aftermath, but none of the body. There isn't even a body visible in the pic of the car before the door was removed.

I'm not asking for gore. However in many cases like this, there is usually a pic of a body on a gurney under a sheet. I only ask because if it's possible to remote control the car, maybe Hastings wasn't in it. Maybe he was spirited away for interrogation and the crash was just a cover for this.

Really sorry to do this...as I don't like putting a picture of this nature up...but, it does look to me, as if this picture (extracted from the Loud Labs video) shows the head and neck of the deceased.

(larger pic at - files.abovetopsecret.com... )

The witness that was interviewed on-scene (and later), said he saw the head & shoulders (I think)...
If this is Michael Hastings' body, there's something strange about how securely the safety belt/s fastened him into this position.
I saw no pic's of the body removed...but did see numerous pic's of the body bag lying on the ground (before it was all over).

He emailed his colleagues warning that the FBI might interview them,[42] and he also discussed this with a WikiLeaks lawyer just hours before his death.

Family described him as driving like a Grandma (I know, I am the same way).

He had a DUI before (which means he'd drive even MORE like a Grandma).

Car was at maximum speed (according to witness). No way would a granny driver (even a drunk one), go at max speed like that.

C'mon...this guy was whacked....

Originally posted by ShadellacZumbrum
...Your number one question about the engine and tranny being ejected is a fantastic question.

JBA2848 posted a video in the other thread, which, in conjunction with some of the video footage (in the 5+ minute Loud Labs clip) appears to show how this happened.
The video JBA' posted was of a crash test...involving this make/model of automobile...crashing into a rather immovable object...where (perhaps) the right half of the front-end did not contact the object on impact, allowing the vehicle to "swing" around to that side.
In the Loud Labs video, what I mistook for a motorcycle standing in front of the car, is in fact (I believe) the front grill & frame extended outward...from where the engine & tranny ejected.
You have a high speed solid impact, that does not allow that part of the car's frame to go anywhere...but enough force to "tear/rip" those parts that are not in contact - IF, the engine and tranny have come loose and are trying to continue moving in the direction they were previously going.
For me - I can live with this explanation...though - I don't see the engine & tranny coming out that easily at 60 or 70 mph. The video is of a 50 mph collision.

As for the witnesses...they all agree that the vehicle was traveling at a super fast speed. We will have to see the facts as far as the scrape marks made by the vehicle when it bottomed out. This would give us an exact figure as to the actual speed by the measurement of these marks.

Maybe you are familiar with the marks shown in the short video (that captured the vehicle speeding through the intersection at Santa Monica & North Highland)... As they approach, then cross Melrose'...if you step through the screen shots as incrementally as possible...there is a very brief showing of two skid marks (would have been undercarriage marks, rather than tires). I don't know if they are visible enough to determine their length...but, in case you want to give it a shot...

...I highly suspect operator or mechanical failure. Some might argue that tampering with the vehicle could have caused a mechanical failure. But as I mentioned before there is going to be some kind of evidence.

The odds of the other (surrounding) circumstances combined with the oddity of the events we are generally accepting, make your "high suspicions" less believable. (imo) Not because they could not be the answer...but because of the "coincidences". Again - however - it IS possible that this was...operator error (or - just a plain ole accident). One time, while driving on a highway...something happened and my drink (AZ Ice Tea or something) slipped into the floorboard, lodged (and I do mean - LODGED) under the accelerator pedal and sent me into ZOOM. Terrifying few moments, trying to keep the vehicle under control and safe, while also trying to dislodge/extract the bottle.

Another noteworthy item is the fact that If someone had wireless control of the vehicle those inputs would have been recorded. As it reads in the manual ALL of the data from the recorders was transmitted the second the crash occurred. So those inputs would show Exactly what was going on.

You know that what you've stated should be bracketed with "in a perfect world"...right? In a perfect world, you and I would know everything that anyone-else might know...that could affect us.
Maybe you have, maybe you haven't...but, I have numerous experiences with computers where - something happened...computer goes bonkers...shuts down...continues shutting down...virus & malware protection (databases) updated...nothing shows...registry supposedly "in order"...NO EVENTS showing in the log/s...restore computer to an earlier time...that doesn't work...go back and restore to an even earlier time...that doesn't work... Eventually find a solution (reformat the hard drive - uninstall/reinstall - etc...) but still - no idea "what happened".
Maybe all of the data was uploaded to Mercedes (means someone had wireless access)...

...When the facts come to light how many people do you suspect are going to jump on the 'ol "Alphabet Agency got to the investigators and made them concoct a story" bandwagon?
...My guess is many. Especially when they show facts that prove it was either a true mechanical failure or operator error. Everyone who believes in the conspiracy theory is going say that the Data Was Bought or Manufactured. ...

Now - why do you have to do this? If the facts coming to light are sufficient to quell honestly suspicious minds, the story will generally die. There are still people who don't believe that I'm the greatest human to ever walk the Earth... Not much I can do about that...with all the facts that are available...

reply to post by WanDash

For me - I can live with this explanation...though - I don't see the engine & tranny coming out that easily at 60 or 70 mph. The video is of a 50 mph collision.

Are you familiar with golf? That game consists of a golf ball and a club. Usually, if you know how to swing, you can hit the ball pretty good and send it a decent distance. Now, there is an area between a golf ball and a golf club that intersects in the perfect spot. This is called the "Sweet Spot". That will send the ball a hell of a distance. Much farther than if you just hit the ball normally and didn't interest with the "Sweet Spot".

Is there a chance that the car hit the "Sweet Spot" on the tree giving the engine and transmission that extra little ejection feature? I think it is possible. Other than that the calculation comes out to over 500 tons of impact force. I would imagine that the engine and transmission combined weigh probably less than 600 lbs.

Trying to consider the loss of force between the breaking engine mounting bolts and the transmission flanges, I would think that you still have over 400 tons to work with. Combine that with the "Sweet Spot" theory and you have all the makings of a Clay Pigeon Launcher. So to speak.

Also, I did see the scrape marks that the cat left, but, there is nothing to really judge the length by. If there was a common frame of measurement near it then it might be possible. Otherwise it would just be a Scientific Wild Ass Guess and the calculation would not come out near close. Hell the margin could be 75-90% Plus or Minus.

Your experience with the Tea can testifies to the fact that people can react in a panic situation. Although, as you indicated, for a few terrifying moments. My point with that is as I mentioned in the OP that people can and do react in panic situations.

In your Perfect World comment you are absolutely correct. Sometimes errors and issues can be an intermittent issue whereby things happen instantaneously and Only Once. That is the nature of Computers weather they are on the desktop or in your car.

By the way I should take some time to look up your Fact Sheet.

Originally posted by ShadellacZumbrum
...Are you familiar with golf? That game consists of a golf ball and a club. Usually, if you know how to swing, you can hit the ball pretty good and send it a decent distance. Now, there is an area between a golf ball and a golf club that intersects in the perfect spot. This is called the "Sweet Spot". That will send the ball a hell of a distance. Much farther than if you just hit the ball normally and didn't interest with the "Sweet Spot".

Of course... Like a small group of people or instruments coming into harmonic resonance with their environment.
Or - like the time I hit a homerun in a softball game...and everyone said it was the furthest they'd ever seen one hit out of that park (save one)... It was even a bad pitch (almost took it off the ground on the outside of the plate)... Never came close to repeating (and I tried many times). ...not even close...

There really is no way to determine what kind of force was required to accomplish this feat...because we don't know what the state of the mounting bolts, brackets, etc...were in the engine compartment. Could give best, worst and numerous in-between case scenarios...but it would all still be a guess... Did the engine entirely miss the tree on ejection? Was some of the momentum absorbed by the tree? How many times might it have rolled, tumbled and/or bounded...and at what angles did it hit the ground (grass, asphalt...both), and what parts of the engine & tranny made contact?

Also, I did see the scrape marks that the cat left, but, there is nothing to really judge the length by. If there was a common frame of measurement near it then it might be possible. Otherwise it would just be a Scientific Wild Ass Guess and the calculation would not come out near close. Hell the margin could be 75-90% Plus or Minus.

Didn't know if there were any stripes distinguishable-enough, and close enough to measure against.

...By the way I should take some time to look up your Fact Sheet.

Okay - but don't get mesmerized and start stalking me 'round the neighborhood.

reply to post by WanDash


This is really one of those cases where you wished it occurred in daylight with witnesses to the engine theatrics. That would have been really something to see.

It really is a miracle that someone wasn't hit by it. That would have made a nasty mess.

reply to post by ShadellacZumbrum


Sorry...I don't buy it...you wouldn't be a Shill would you???