Probably not the sheriff, but also probably not the FBI either, strictly speaking. That crash helped put John Danforth, who now heads the government Waco investigation, in the Missouri Senate seat, just as this crash is seen as a boon to Ashcroft. Missouri is a swing state in the national election. Without accusing anyone of anything in this tragic circumstance, it should be noted that the proximity of the last presidential debate in St. Louis at the time of the Carnahan crash would have made it a powerful symbolic gesture for any secret manipulators. Carnahan had to be at a fundraiser and be visible for Gore at the time of the debates, for instance, and that may have over ridden common sense concerns.
Some speculation has it that the horizontal gyro was at fault, broken or possibly jimmied.
NTSB doesn't promise an answer for another year. Also, read Kenn Thomas analysis of the vice presidents in the latest issue of Fortean Times. All Rights Reserved.