Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in May 2020.
In a jaw-dropping incident that defies belief, a turtle came crashing through the windshield of a moving vehicle in Savannah, Georgia, but what’s even more astonishing is that both occupants of the car, siblings Latonya Lark and Kevin Grant, miraculously escaped serious injury.
Selfie of Latonya Lark who was one of the car’s occupants, Photo Credit: Latonya Lark/Facebook
The bizarre event unfolded on May 12 as Lark and Grant were running errands in Savannah, driving northbound on Harry S Truman Parkway. Out of nowhere, the turtle shattered their windshield but got stuck instead of penetrating all the way through.
Lark recounted the heart-stopping moment, saying, “I thought it was a brick, and I told (my brother), ‘my God, there’s a brick!’” Both siblings were left stunned, covered in shattered glass, before comprehending what had occurred.
Grant, a licensed cosmetologist, shared his reaction, saying, “When the glass broke, the first thing that comes to my mind was just to shield myself. So I was like, you know, turn and cover.”
Image of the turtle lodged in the windshield, Photo Credit: Latonya Lark/Facebook
Lark believed the turtle was flung toward their car from a vehicle ahead of them that had struck the reptile on the road.
After the shocking ordeal, the siblings pulled over and called for assistance. According to the police report, the turtle inflicted such severe damage to the car that it couldn’t be driven safely and had to be towed.
A police officer carrying the turtle in a sheet, Photo Credit: Latonya Lark/Facebook
Lark emphasized that the thickness of the windshield and her quick thinking likely prevented a catastrophic outcome. Lark recalled, “According to the police officer, had the glass not been as thick as it was, and if I hadn’t immediately reduced my speed upon spotting the object, the outcome could have been catastrophic.”
Authorities managed to extricate the turtle from the windshield, and initially, it survived the unusual incident. However, the turtle lost one of its legs in the process.
Regrettably, when Lark checked on the turtle’s condition a few days later, she received the heartbreaking news that it had succumbed to its injuries, primarily due to significant blood loss.
In the aftermath of this freak occurrence, Lark issued a stark warning to fellow drivers, urging them to remain attentive when behind the wheel. She emphasized the need for vigilance on the road, cautioning that inattentive drivers could lead to such bizarre accidents.
A view of the turtle wedged in the windshield from inside the car, Photo Credit: Latonya Lark/Facebook
“If people are not paying attention to the road… you know, whoever hit that turtle, they had to have been flying,” Lark said.
This extraordinary tale of survival and a miraculous escape serves as a powerful reminder of the unexpected dangers that can arise on the road. It underscores the importance of staying vigilant and focused while driving, as even the most improbable events can happen when least expected.
