Jun 10, 2009 11:42 pm US/Eastern
Road Debris Smashes Through Windshield On I-95
DANIA BEACH (CBS4) ―
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A metal gate from a trailer flew along the roadway and smashed into the windshield of this Lexus.
CBS4 News
Alex Front described the large piece of metal hurtling towards his car like being in a 3-D movie.
"It was coming right at me," Front told CBS4's Carey Codd. "It was turning and the windshield hit me in the face and repelled back."
Front was on I-95 in rush hour traffic Wednesday afternoon when a metal gate from a trailer flew along the roadway and smashed into the windshield of his Lexus. The impact rained glass all over Front. Fortunately, he was wearing sunglasses that shielded his eyes and he amazingly walked away with a few scratches on his arms and head.
Front said he can't believe he survived the accident without a serious injury. "(The accident) was all concentrated on my side but I guess good deeds come back and repay you," he said. "This is my repaying."
The driver of the truck with the trailer received a citation for failing to properly secure his load. Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant Pat Santangelo said road debris causes accidents in South Florida nearly every day.
"It is a constant problem for everybody on the highway," Santangelo said. "On a windy day things can blow out of your vehicle out of your pickup truck."
Santangelo said drivers must be careful when they are hauling anything - tires, furniture, mattresses - and said drivers can be ticketed even before an accident occurs if the load is not secured.
"If a police officer or a state trooper notices that your load is not secure on your vehicle you can be pulled over just for that reason for failing to secure or fasten your load," Santangelo said. The fine for the citation is $115.
According to AAA, road debris is responsible for 25-thousand crashes a year and causes dozens of deaths. The FHP says drivers who see road debris can call *FHP from their cell phone. A trooper and road ranger will clear the item from the roadway. Santangelo said a simple phone call could prevent a serious accident.
As for Front, when a reporter told him he should play the lottery because of his good luck, Front said he already won the lottery. He survived Wednesday's crash with just a few scratches.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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