If you havnt already worked it out im asking: Did sal maroni survive the car crash after dent shot the driver?. Its possible, and even if dent knew he was still alive he wouldnt flip again (unless joel shumacher was directing). Feel free to debate this.

Good call, of course your right, he must have survived. I think it makes perfect sense to leave him alive.

I think they left this open ended and can probably go back and revisit in a logical manner.