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Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 8:23 PM UTC

Ryan Dunn’s alcohol level played factor in fatal crash

Police now confirm that the "Jackass" star was more than two times over legal drinking limit at time of death

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Topics: Celebrity, Jackass 3D, Roger Ebert, Twitter, Television,

Ryan Dunn's alcohol level played factor in fatal crashRyan Dunn

Ryan Dunn, the “Jackass” star who died in a fatal car crash on Monday, had a blood alcohol level of .196 percent at the time of his death, police told the press today. That is over twice the legal amount, confirming reports that Dunn had been intoxicated when he drove home from a Pennsylvania bar early that morning.  Dunn’s death has been at the center of a media firestorm for the past three days, with “Jackass” fans lashing out at Roger Ebert after the critic tweeted about “not letting Jackasses drink and drive.”  Photos of Dunn doing shots with friends surfaced on Twitter hours before his death, but until now there was no confirmed evidence that alcohol played role in the crash.

Dunn and his passenger, a Navy SEAL named Zachary Hartwell, skidded off the road at 3 a.m. in Dunn’s Porsche. The car was going approximately 132-140 mph when it hit a tree, causing the vehicle to catch on fire. Their deaths were caused by “blunt and thermal trauma,” according to the autopsy report.

 

Drew Grant

Drew Grant is a staff writer for Salon. Follow her on Twitter at @videodrew. More Drew Grant.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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