A dog apparently fell from a freeway overpass and crashed through a car windshield, fatally injuring the driver, police said Thursday.
Charles G. Jetchick, 81, died Wednesday of injuries suffered in the accident over the weekend in suburban Detroit. A passenger suffered minor injuries.
Investigators do not believe the 60- to 70-pound Labrador retriever was thrown, but rather fell by while trying to avoid a car, State Police Sgt. Michael A. Shaw said. Police questioned the dog’s owner. The dog died after a fall of about 16 feet.
Despite his injuries, Jetchick was able to steer his car in a straight line and stop safely, Shaw said.
“We’ve had rocks and other stuff like that fall off of overpasses. This would be the first dog we’ve had,” said Shaw, who has been with the state police for 11 years.