Flying object knocks out driver, leaving passenger trying to steer, Florida cops say

One of the terrified passengers in a pickup had to grab the steering wheel after an “unknown object” crashed through the windshield and knocked the driver unconscious, according to Florida authorities.

It happened April 6 on southbound Interstate 95 near Hobe Sound, about 100 miles north of Miami, Martin County Fire Rescue said in a release shared around 9:30 p.m.

“An unknown object — possibly a tire — struck a truck, knocking the driver unconscious. ... A passenger had to take control and pull the vehicle over,” officials said in a release. “The victims didn’t know what hit them.”

The interstate’s southbound lanes were closed for a time so the driver could be airlifted to a hospital, officials said. Two passengers were also taken to a hospital with “non-life-threatening injuries,” officials said.

Identities and conditions of the three have not been released.

Photos show the object struck the GMC pickup’s windshield just above the driver’s seat, then peeled the roof back to the rear compartment.

Investigators did not find the object, but mentioned one possible explanation.

“There was a trailer on the northbound side of the road — just north of the scene — missing a wheel, but there was no vehicle and no witnesses to provide information,” fire rescue officials said.

This story was originally published April 10, 2023 at 4:31 AM with the headline "Flying object knocks out driver, leaving passenger trying to steer, Florida cops say."