A fatal accident in southern Johnson County yesterday was caused when a driver shot himself, leading his car to crash through several yards before flipping onto its side and hitting a parked vehicle.

The accident happened near Amity at about 5:40 p.m. Monday on old U.S. 31, says Sheriff Doug Cox. Witnesses estimated the vehicle was travelling at more than 100 mph when it went airborne.

The driver was found bleeding from his head and after he was removed from the vehicle the injury was discovered to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  A .22 pistol was recovered from the wreckage, deputies report

There is no word yet on whether the 37-year-old driver died from the gunshot or from the accident, Cox says. An autopsy is scheduled for today. Alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor in the accident.