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Driver Nearly Impaled By Tree Limb That Pierced Through Windshield

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DAVIE (CBSMiami) - A 29-year-old Weston woman who was on her way to work at an office job in the Miami area was nearly impaled Thursday morning by a tree limb that smashed through the front windshield of her car.

Remarkably, she was left with only minor injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. She was wearing a seatbelt and that may have prevented more serious injuries.

"I thank God she was not seriously hurt," said Peter DiCampo, the cousin of Francis Clemenza who was injured in the freak accident at 9:21 a.m. in the southbound lanes of I-75 just south of Griffin Road.

CLICK HERE To Watch Peter D'Oench's Report 

DiCampo told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "We were very scared, very scared. Now I want to see what the doctors will tell us. She was on her way to work, yes, when this happened. I have not seen the pictures yet."

Chopper4 and Davie Fire Rescue both captured some dramatic videotape and photographs of the tree limb that had smashed through a left side rear window and the front windshield of the car.

FHP says Clemenza was headed southbound when she veered to the right and went off the highway and struck road debris. Her car rotated and slid backwards into a tree. FHP says that's when a tree limb penetrated the widows.

DiCampo said, "She tried to avoid some cars that were going to hit her. So she had to veer right and she lost control of her car."

Clemenza's uncle, Giacomo DiCampo, also spoke with D'Oench outside Broward Health Medical Center. He also said other vehicles veered into his niece's lane and she was forced to drive off the highway.

Clemenza is recovering at the hospital. A hospital spokeswoman said both Clemenza and her family were requesting privacy and said she did not want to say anything.

It's not known how long she'll he at the hospital. Doctors were going to evaluate her condition.

There is an ongoing project where crews have been cutting back trees and bushes along I-75 southbound south of Griffin Road. But FHP said that was not a factor in the accident.

 

 

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