Austrian Pol Driving Twice Speed Limit in Fatal Crash

Austria grieves extremist chief's death after right gains big in elections
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 13, 2008 5:44 AM CDT
Austrian Pol Driving Twice Speed Limit in Fatal Crash
Fans of Joerg Haider light candles in his memory at the site of the accident that claimed his life in Lambichl near Klagenfurt, Austria, Saturday.   (AP Photo/Gert Eggenberger)

The controversial leader of an ultra-right movement in Austria was driving twice the speed limit when he careened off a road and fatally crashed into a cement post, authorities revealed. Joerg Haider was driving 88 mph in a 40mph zone when the crash occurred Saturday, reports the Guardian. Thousands of his countrymen turned out to mourn Haider at a memorial service yesterday just weeks after right-wing parties made historic gains in national elections.

"Haider died as he lived—always full of gas and over the limit," wrote a newspaper editor. (More Austria stories.)

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