Sandy MaloneCharleston, SC – The Mount Pleasant Police Department released dashcam video of the terrifying moment a gust of wind lifted the container off the back of a tractor trailer and dropped it on a Charleston police car (video below).
The incident occurred on March 12 on the James B. Edwards Bridge, also known as the Wando Bridge, during a wind storm, WCBD reported.
Police had to shut down Interstate 526 for part of the day because of so many wrecks involving transfer trucks and containers due to high winds.
A Charleston police officer was stopped in the right-hand emergency lane of the bridge assisting a motorist, WCBD reported.
A Mount Pleasant police car that was parked within view of the stopped Charleston police car captured the moment a gust of wind lifted the container off of the back of an 18-wheeler, just as the big truck was passing the police car.
The dashcam video showed the container hit the police car and then went off the bridge into the Wando River.
The Charleston Police Department said the police car was totaled, WCBD reported.
Charleston Police Lieutenant Matthew Wojslawowicz said the officer who was in the police car when it was hit was taken to the hospital and was “doing okay.”
The injured officer has been identified as Charleston Police Officer Craig Jones, WCBD reported.
Officer Jones was treated and released from the hospital.
“Thankfully, no life-endangering issues, so he’ll be fine, he’s a little sore but it could’ve been much, much worse,” Lt. Wojslawowicz told reporters.
Coast Guard crews were deployed to find the container in the Wando River, WCBD reported.
They retrieved it from the water two days later.
“We’d like to thank Mount Pleasant Police Department for their officer’s quick response in ensuring everyone involved was alright, and for providing the harrowing video which was captured on the officer’s in-car camera,” Charleston Police Sergeant Elisabeth Wolfsen told WCBD in a statement.
“CPD is so proud of the men and women who put on the uniform every day and do their best to keep everyone safe,” Wolfsen added.
Watch the incident unfold in the video below:
Holly Matkin
