SEATTLE — A Tacoma man said “luck” is what saved him when someone tossed a sign from an Interstate 5 overpass, shattering his windshield.
Rick Hecker escaped with his life when someone threw a heavy object onto I-5 just before 9 p.m. Saturday, smashing into his windshield.
It has happened to several other drivers in the last couple of months on I-5 and Interstate 90.
Hecker was driving home from work, traveling southbound on I-5, when a no-parking sign seemingly fell from the sky right into his windshield.
This man suffered only minor cuts, which were difficult to see, to his hand.
“I drive I-5 five days a week both north and southbound,” said Hecker. “Having it happen to you is crazy.”
Hecker heard that other drivers had been hit by something thrown off an overpass. But he never imagined this.
“I was sitting in the driver’s seat, approaching the overpass, and I saw a flash, " he said, “and then an explosion of glass.”
He didn’t know at first what hit him. But he managed to pull his RAV 4 over without hitting anyone else. Then he pulled out his cellphone and recorded the view from inside his vehicle.
“It knocked out the interior lights,” he said, pointing inside his heavily damaged vehicle. “My rearview mirror’s gone.”
It was only when a Washington State trooper arrived that he learned his vehicle was struck by a no-parking sign tossed off the Yesler Overpass.
“I’m not angry,” said Hecker, “more confused about why this is happening. And why it’s still happening.”
It happened last month to Rachel Brophy. Her face was badly cut by broken glass. Jeffrey Johnson was a victim too.
Then a viewer sent a video of a Lime scooter being tossed into the middle of the busiest part of I-5 through the heart of downtown Seattle.
“I’m amazed that I’m completely fine,” said Hecker. “If there were any other situation, it could have gone completely wrong.”
Hecker said he only suffered minor injuries. But he said he doesn’t want this to happen to him again. So he is changing his route to work.
“Take 405,” he said. “I can get there through 405 if that’s what I have to do.”
The Washington State Patrol has arrested some suspects, but the attacks continue to happen.
Troopers said they have beefed up patrols and are watching from an aircraft too.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911.