Driver Feels Lucky After Narrowly Missing Deadly Crash
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIDLOTHIAN (CBSDFW.COM) - An innocent life was taken by a man who police said stole a van and crashed head-on with the driver of a truck along Highway 287.
Investigators said the suspect stole the vehicle in Waxahachie and drove towards Midlothian.
Police said during the chase, the suspect drove over a median and began traveling against traffic on the wrong side of the road. The suspect then collided head-on with the driver of a truck.
"I saw the damage done to both vehicles and I thought, 'Nobody lived through that.' My heart almost stopped," said Dick Woodward, who witnessed the pursuit.
Woodward and his car were almost among the charred metal and burnt rubber.
"Had I been a split second different, it could have been me," said Woodward. "When that car in front of me moved over, I went 'whoa!' And there was this car coming right at me, this van."
Looking at the wreckage, Woodward and other witnesses said they feel fortunate for themselves but sorry for the family who has now lost one of their own.
"It was my lucky day. I could have been at the wrong spot at the wrong time. My heart's pumping right now just thinking about it," said Woodward.
The license plate of the van police said was stolen traced back to a painting company in Richardson. Management of the company did not want to comment on the situation.
Police will release the names of the suspect and victim as soon as next of kin is notified.
(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)