Police arrest man suspected with throwing railroad spikes off an overpass, endangering motorists
Police arrested an 18-year-old man suspected of throwing 8-inch railroad spikes from an overpass that struck at least three vehicles Friday night in University City.
Police arrested an 18-year-old man suspected of throwing 8-inch railroad spikes from an overpass that struck at least three vehicles Friday night in University City.
The spikes were tossed from about 40 feet above the 600 block of University Avenue shortly before 8:30 p.m., Lt. John Walker of Southwest Detectives said.
One spike crashed through the windshield of a Dodge Charger and lodged in the dashboard, Walker said. The driver was treated at the scene for broken glass in his eyes.
Another spike tore through the roof of an Oldsmobile Cutlass, and a third spike shattered the windshield of a Hyundai SUV, Walker said.
An Infiniti SUV was struck by a rock, and the driver got out of his vehicle and ran up onto the tracks to confront the suspect, who was arrested when police arrived, Walker said.
The man, whose name was not released, was facing charges of four counts of aggravated assault and related offenses.
Police found eight more spikes on the street below.
Amtrak was called to the scene to inspect the area where the spikes were taken, Walker said.
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