Photo: dlewis33 / E+ / Getty Images
Miami Gardens, FL - A woman was injured when a piece of metal fell from a tow truck and struck her while she was riding in an SUV on Florida’s Turnpike in Miami-Dade County on Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. in the southbound lanes near Northwest 199th Street in Miami Gardens.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the metal detached from a tow truck and landed in the roadway.
An oncoming GMC SUV hit the debris, which penetrated the windshield and struck the front passenger in the arm.
The woman was reportedly injured but sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Emergency crews responded quickly, and the woman was taken to a trauma center in northern Miami-Dade County for treatment.
Aerial footage from local news choppers showed the SUV on the roadside with a damaged windshield while troopers investigated the scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that the affected lanes were temporarily closed but have since reopened.
The FHP continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including how the metal became unsecured and any potential liability on the part of the tow truck operator.
No further details have been released regarding the identities of the injured woman or the driver of the tow truck.
Officials emphasized the hazards posed by unsecured debris on highways and the need for proper load securing to prevent similar accidents.
The investigation is ongoing, and troopers are reviewing the incident to determine whether any charges or citations may result from the accident.