ERIE, Pa. -- A 1973 Ford Pinto, stopped at a red light, was struck from behind by another car and burst into flames, killing a passenger and seriously injuring the Pinto's driver, who leapt from the car, his clothes afire, police said.
The driver of the other car was uninjured, police said.
David R. McClellan, 23, of Erie, a passenger in the Pinto, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident Sunday.
The Pinto driver, Terry McCarty, 30, of Erie, ran out of his car with his clothes in flames. He was listed in serious condition in the burn unit at Hamot Medical Center with burns over the top half of his body.
Police said the Pinto was stopped at a red light when it was struck from behind by the other car and burst into flames on impact.
The early 1970 Ford Pinto models have been the subject of a recall and much controversy over claims that their fuel tanks were improperly placed, causing them to easily explode when hit from behind.
