YORK, Pa. (WGAL) – A 24-year-old Pennsylvania man is hospitalized with severe facial injuries after a sheet of ice blew off a truck and hit his windshield. He faces a long road to recovery.
Brandon Hennel, 24, was on Interstate 83 southbound in York around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. He was enroute to his girlfriend’s house when a sheet of ice came off a truck heading north and smashed through his windshield, hitting him right in the face, his parents say.
“It struck him straight in the face… pushed him with such force, his seat completely back, with that much force,” said the victim’s father, Paul Hennel.
Brandon Hennel is hospitalized in a trauma intensive care unit with severe facial injuries. He is expected to undergo multiple surgeries on a long road to recovery.
The 24-year-old’s parents say after the accident, the truck kept on going, and the truck driver may not even know what happened. However, they believe the accident could have been prevented if the ice had been removed from the truck.
“Our main focus is our son right now, getting him healthy. But find this opportunity to share with the public that you would not want this to happen to your son or daughter, anyone that you love. It’s something that could have been avoided,” Paul Hennel said.
The father adds if you see an unsafe situation on the road involving snow or ice on a vehicle, report it.
“I would say be aware of the trucks and cars around you,” he said.
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating. Under state law, a driver must make reasonable efforts – unless it would be dangerous to do so – to remove ice or snow from their vehicle within 24 hours after the ice or snow stops.
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