Death Car on the Freeway

Becky Lyons, an aspiring actress, is cut off by a mysterious driver in a dark blue van while on her way to a casting call. The attempted assault signals the killer's pattern and foreshadows the danger on the freeway. This incident kicks off the central investigation led by Jan.

Janette Clausen suspects the current incident mirrors the earlier case involving Lynn Bernheimer. She watches a tape provided by her husband Ray and begins linking the driver to a motive. She brings the matter to Lieutenant Haller of the LAPD, but he dismisses it as mere feeling.

Nurse Jane Guston confronts the killer, who drives away in a van that plays a fiddle tune. The encounter leads to a fiery crash and burns covering a large portion of her body. Jan later learns from Guston's boyfriend that she has died of her injuries.

That night, Lynn Bernheimer calls Jan to apologize and confirms she heard fiddle music from the van. The revelation prompts the media to dub the killer the Freeway Fiddler.

With the Fiddler continuing the killings, the LAPD, LASD, and CHP establish a joint Fiddler Task Force led by Lieutenant Haller. Jan proclaims she will keep reporting and even drive alone on the freeway. Meanwhile the killer repaints his van gray and changes the license plates.

Jan interviews psychologist Dr. Rita Glass to build a psychological profile of the Fiddler. Her analysis adds depth to understanding the killer beyond sensational headlines.

Jan meets with Mr. Blanchard who runs a defensive driving school and uses newscasts to run a public safety campaign. She also runs a story criticizing automotive advertising for encouraging reckless behavior.

The Fiddler kills Mrs. Anthony as she goes to pick up her son and wrecks several police cars in the process. The number of female victims rises toward ten, intensifying the authorities' and press coverage.

Lieutenant Haller assigns blame to the victims, citing traffic violations as a factor. Jan remains determined to pursue the truth despite skepticism and pressure.

Jan suspects she is being stalked, but learns that the admirer is actually her husband Ray, who congratulates her on rising ratings and warns of consequences. The tension between career ambition and personal life grows.

An anonymous caller claims to have information about the Fiddler and refers to a man known as John. Jan investigates and is steered toward the Street Phantoms, a car club with members who downplay the killer's antisocial nature.

A club member shows a magazine listing the Fiddler's real name as John Evans from La Crescenta. Jan visits Johns' supposed residence, meeting the blind landlord Helen Sheel who says John rarely uses the room and mostly stays with his van.

Jan tracks John to a highway section under construction and deliberately allows him to corner her vehicle. He attacks, but Jan uses a handbrake turn to evade and drives his van to a dangerous crash.

John Evans' van crashes off the unfinished highway in a fiery explosion, ending the Freeway Fiddler's rampage. Jan survives the encounter, effectively closing the case.