Cars across New England had their windshields smashed in by ice that flew off other vehicles, leaving several people hurt, authorities said.
Two different drivers were injured by ice flying into their windshields within a day in Sterling, Massachusetts, fire officials said.
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"We had two yesterday, one that resulted in a pretty good injury. Another one happened this morning. With the weather that we’ve had, we’ve certainly seen an increase in that," Lt. Thomas Kokernak said.
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Tow truck driver Pancho Algarin said on Route 12 in Sterling, while he was towing a car with a splintered windshield, that he's been seeing lots of such accidents, too.
And it's not just Sterling.
In Plymouth, Massachusetts, ice that came off a truck driving on Route 3 hit two different vehicles, breaking glass, state police said. The truck didn't stop, but victims were able to share information about the vehicle to dispatchers, who relayed it to police in the area who pulled the driver over in town. No one was hurt, and police were investigating whether charges would be appropriate.
A car on Interstate 93 south had its window smashed in Salem, New Hampshire, police shared.
Both Massachusetts and New Hampshire have laws on the books requiring drivers to clear off vehicles or face penalties.
"Not only is it important to clean your car off, but you also want to be defensive when you’re on the highway. If you see vehicles that have snow blowing off, keep your distance," Kokernak said.
A Cranston, Rhode Island, woman was injured when a sheet of ice came flying off another vehicle and smashed through her windshield, NBC affiliate WJAR-TV reported.
Dan DeCesare told the station that he and his wife JoAnn were driving on I-95 south Monday when a strong gust of wind sent the chunk of ice flying off the top of a tractor-trailer in front of them.
"It was like four inches thick, probably like four feet long," DeCesare said. "It disappeared over our car, and the bottom of it still managed to hit the windshield and just smash right through. It was kind of like a bomb hit the windshield," Dan told WJAR-TV.
JoAnn was hit in the chest and face by the ice as it crashed through the windshield. She was taken to the hospital and treated for chest contusions, a split lip, a head injury, and bruising across her body. She is expected to recover.
Dan said the truck driver stopped after DeCesare honked and signaled at him to pull over. Dan said the trucker told them his company is supposed to clean the top, but they don't always get all of the sides.
State law requires drivers to clear snow and ice from their vehicles before travel. Failing to do so can result in fines. More importantly, falling ice can have serious consequences.
"Absolutely, spend the time to take the ice off—any car, especially big trucks," Dan said.
Rhode Island State Police and West Warwick Police are investigating.
