Limo damaged after debris falls from McCormick Place walkway amid high winds
CHICAGO (CBS) -- High winds overnight damaged a walkway connecting McCormick Place to the neighboring Hyatt Regency hotel, sending debris falling onto a limo.
Cynthia McCafferty, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, the corporation that owns McCormick Place, confirmed "exceptionally high winds" damaged the walkway Tuesday night.
Muneer Alshamali, a limo driver who was under the walkway dropping off passengers in the 2200 block of South King Drive around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday said debris fell on his vehicle, causing extensive damage. The rear bumper of his Cadillac XTS was sheared off, and large scratches were visible in the paint on the rear quarter panel.
"It's all coming on my head, but I don't see anything," Alshamali said. "I say 'What's going on?' It hit my car on the top, bumpers, trunk, taillights and core panel. It's all gone. The glass is broken."
Large chunks of debris and insulation were visible on the ground after the incident.
"The area was immediately blocked off to prevent damage to any other vehicles. Crews have removed any remaining debris and secured the area. No one was injured, and the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority (MPEA)'s insurance carrier is working with the owner of the vehicle," McCafferty said in an email.
The walkway is back open, but still missing some pieces.
A check of the weather shows gusts topped 40 miles per hour Tuesday night.
Alshamali said he's out of a job for now, but is grateful he walked away.
"I'm OK, thank God," he said. "Thank you."