Car explosion that killed officer possibly set off by TASER

An investigation is under way into the cause of a car explosion, with experts saying it's possible but unlikely the use of a TASER was to blame.

A U.S. Border Patrol agent reportedly pulled over a wrong-way driver in Pine Valley March 15, and an explosion occurred during the stop, according to 10 News. The officer was hospitalized with burns on his face, and driver Alex Martin, 24, died.

According to TASER training experts, specific factors would need to be in place in order for the device to cause an explosion.

"The possibility is there, but it has to be what we call 'the perfect storm'… the perfect fuel-to-air-to-spark ratio," Keiko Arroyo, chief instructor at Absolute Tactical Training in University Heights, told the website.

"It would have to be the right amount of gas and fume mixture in the air to set it off… It's possible, but probably not probable."

It is unclear whether Martin did something to himself that would have led to the fire.

"The scenario could be very likely if the person was actually dousing himself and getting Tased [sic] at the same," Arroyo said.

The San Diego Sheriff’s Homicide Unit is investigating the death of Martin, whose family has retained a lawyer but not yet pursued legal action.

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