Trailer Hitch Crashes Through Window, Missing Baby

Date: February 17, 2010
Location: Highway 99E near Canby, Oregon
Names: Eric J. Provost

A Milwaukie father and his 6-month-old son miraculously escaped death February 17, 2010,  when a loose trailer hitch in the road came crashing through their car’s front windshield around 4:30 PM as they traveled on Highway 99E north of Canby, Oregon.

According to an Oregon State Police press release, Eric J. Provost, 29, of Milwaukie, received serious but non-life-threatening injuries in the freak accident, and he was airlifted to Oregon Health & Science University Hospital in Portland.

Thankfully, the projectile missed the young child.

The tow hitch came crashing through the windshield with such force that it bent the steering wheel. It slammed into Provost’s chest and forearm, then hit the roof of the car, before careening into the back seat, where it almost hit the little boy buckled into his car seat. Finally, the object came to rest in the back of the car.

Police are trying to figure out where the trailer hitch came from.

We are relieved and thankful that this horrifying accident was not a fatal one, and we are especially glad that Provost’s little boy was unhurt. We hope Provost is out of the hospital quickly, and we send our warmest thoughts to the family.

Without knowing more, there’s little help we can offer. But of course, recovering from serious injury is Priority 1. This can take some time. And after that, there is the issue of paying medical bills. But there are time limitations in Oregon to file a claim. For answers to this and other questions, read the FAQs on our website. Or contact us. We also have a book, 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case, that can help.