Why was the car our of control is another more pertinent question.
>>>
>>> From the article:
>>>
>>> "After the car decelerated to about 50 mph, Sikes turned off the
>>> engine and coasted to a halt."
>>>
>>> Any reason he couldn't turn the engine off below 50 mph?
>>
>>correction... any reason he couldn't turn the engine off ABOVE 50 mph? >
> He was afraid that he didn't have enough straight section of road to turn
> off the vehicle (steering might lock up or be too difficult for him). >
> Why he didn't put it in neutral is another question.
>