Rock smashes windshield, FHP searching for truck driver

A rock almost hit a woman as it penetrated her windshield on I-75 in Collier County. Now,  troopers are looking for the driver that had that rock in their truck bed.

There were three people in the car at the time, including a 9-year-old. The driver did suffer minor injuries, but she and her child will be okay.

The rock was about seven inches long and fell out of the bed of a white pickup truck, hit the ground and bounced back up, then smashed through the windshield. That’s when the rock hit the woman in her right shoulder.

Many drivers say this is their worst nightmare while driving on the interstate.

That rock could have killed the woman sitting in the passenger seat. Lieutenant Greg Bueno is with Florida Highway Patrol. “It could have very easily struck her head or struck her daughter in the head,” Bueno said.

This situation is similar to what Dolores, from Collier County, has been through. “That’s happened to me where I’ve been commuting on 75, and I’ve been hit with stones, and my windshield cracked, so it is a big fear, yes. That is very, very scary,” said Dolores.

Dolores couldn’t believe the size of the rock. “Huge! Oh my God. When you showed me the picture, it was unbelievable,” Dolores said.

David Paul couldn’t believe that the driver of the white pickup truck the rock flew out of didn’t secure it. “Some people need to take responsibility for not having rocks coming out of their vehicles,” said Paul.

Fortunately, the family in the car is alive to tell about their rocky vacation from Vermont to Florida. “I’m glad that everyone is okay, and it’s just a windshield, thank God,” said Dolores.

“Things could’ve ended up a lot worse,” said Paul.

FHP says it is the driver’s responsibility to make sure all items are secure. If that driver is caught, they could be charged with failure to secure a load. Then, if troopers can prove that that driver knew a rock flew off, they could also be charged with leaving the scene of a crash.