A driver narrowly avoided serious injury Thursday when unsecured metal pipes from a pickup truck pierced the rear of a sedan on a Southern California highway.
The collision occurred in Orange County when a white pickup carrying metal pipes struck a gray sedan from behind.
Following the initial impact, the unsecured pipes were propelled forward through the sedan's shattered rear window.
Photographs from the scene showed at least six long pipes lodged through the windshield, passing close to the driver's seat.
The driver sustained only minor injuries in the two-vehicle crash.
Investigators identified the incident as a preventable consequence of improperly secured cargo.
Law enforcement officials warned that unsecured loads contribute to hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries across the country each year.
Drivers were urged to secure cargo with ropes, straps, netting, or bungee cords before traveling.
Officials also recommended using tarps or covers to contain debris and avoiding overloading vehicles.
Data from a recent traffic safety report found that road debris contributed to roughly 53,000 crashes annually between 2018 and 2023.
Those incidents caused an average of about 5,500 injuries and 72 fatalities per year.
