Pierce County Drivers Targeted by Violent Rock Throwers on I-5
Drivers in Pierce County are facing dangerous incidents involving rocks thrown from overpasses, causing significant damage and safety concerns
Pierce County, Washington, I-5, Rock Throwing, Public Safety
Pierce County: Recently, drivers have been dealing with some scary situations on the road. Rocks are being thrown from overpasses, and it’s causing a lot of damage.
The Washington State Patrol mentioned to KIRO 7 News that they’ve seen at least three similar cases lately. It’s not just rocks; cinder blocks and even a suitcase have been involved.
One woman shared a photo of a huge rock that wrecked her husband’s vehicle last Thursday near I-5. She said, “My husband ran over this rock while merging from Hwy 7 last week, and it totaled our vehicle.”
Another driver, Jared Shadrick, had a rough experience too. While driving north on I-5 in Tacoma, he felt a massive impact. “It was so violent, I kind of blacked out a little bit,” he recalled.
That rock smashed his work truck’s windshield, making it tough for him to do his job. “Can’t use it for work, definitely not right now,” he said, feeling the financial strain.
Shadrick hopes the people throwing these rocks will stop. “If the rock had gone through where I’m sitting at, it would have hit me directly in the face,” he added, emphasizing the danger.
Months earlier, another woman, who wanted to stay anonymous, told KIRO 7 News she faced a similar issue on SR 512 while heading toward Puyallup.
As of now, there’s no word on who might be behind these incidents. The Washington State Patrol is urging everyone to report any debris on the road to keep everyone safe.
They said, “If your vehicle strikes debris in the roadway and sustains damage, you can always call 911 to report the incident.” They want to help keep the roads clear and safe for all drivers.