KUSA — Usually when you hit something on the highway, it’s innocuous, like a plastic bag or a piece of trash.
But, a woman and her boyfriend are feeling fortunate to be here after a pipe smashed through their windshield on Interstate 25 near Castle Rock Tuesday.
"I'm not thankful it happened,” Aurora Knapp said. “I'm thankful for the way it happened.”
While Knapp was driving, she was something flying through the air. She said the next thing she remembers was hearing glass shatter. Knapp said it’s a good thing the pipe hit the front of the car first, because it may slowed down its momentum. And that’s a very good thing because it eventually hit her in the chest.
She has some bruises but otherwise, the injuries were fairly minor. Nevertheless, Knapp said she can’t help but think, “how am I alive right now?”
After the crash, Knapp said she was covered in glass with the pipe in her lap, but still managed to do the right thing and pull over. Her boyfriend called 911.
"Unfortunately, it’s something we will probably experience … not for the last time, “said Colorado State Trooper Joshua Lewis.
The pipe was kicked into the air by a passing truck. Under Colorado law, drivers don’t get in trouble if their car or tires kick up debris. It’s the same concept as driving down the road and kicking up small rocks that can chip someone’s windshield.
Lewis did say it's not common to see such large pieces of debris like this.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is responsible for keeping the highways clear. They say their maintenance crews are out every day, and they've set aside 10 percent of their budget, or $3 million, to clear debris.
Other agencies also help, but they don’t have eyes everywhere.
"Look out for objects flying at your car," Knapp said. "And don't litter on the highway."
You can call CDOT or state patrol if you see something that needs to be cleared off a state highway or interstate.
CDOT says they make it a priority to respond to something like a metal pipe on I-25, but said they did not get calls about this particular one.
