Introduction to the Incident
A South Florida man wants answers after he says a piece of concrete fell from the ceiling of a Fort Lauderdale tunnel and onto his car. The debris shattered his rear window.
The Incident Unfolds
Gary Gerbino says he was driving through the Henry E. Kinney Tunnel, or New River Tunnel, in Fort Lauderdale Tuesday when he heard a loud noise.
“And then crash, immediately I didn’t know what the heck happened so I turned around and I was startled, and my complete back window was crashed,” Gerbino said. “It was scary, really scary. I was shaking.”
Damage Assessment
His rear window was shattered and glass was everywhere. Gerbino pulled over to see what went through his window. He says he found pieces of concrete in his car.
“It’s almost like the concrete fractured in a bunch of little pieces,” Gerbino said. “They’re all over the car in addition to the glass, there’s chunks they’re about the size of your fist.”
Concerns and Fears
Gerbino says the incident is concerning.
“If I had a kid in the backseat they’d be dead,” Gerbino said. “I’m like thank God it didn’t crash the sunroof or the windshield. If it crashed the windshield I wouldn’t be here.”
Gerbino says he’s is also concerned because FDOT has closed this tunnel in the past to make repairs and safety improvements.
“It’s all been fixed,” Gerbino said. “It’s brand new, and why is the ceiling falling?”
Call for Investigation
FDOT started a construction project in 2021 but didn’t finish until last year. Gerbino thinks the agency should take another look.
“They should close it to investigate and see what’s going on,” Gerbino said. "I mean, it’s cement that fell.”
Gerbino is worried what happened to him could happen to someone else, if it hasn’t already. When he thinks about it, he gets emotional, because he knows his frightening experience could have ended differently.
“If it was my windshield I would have crashed,” Gerbino said.
Response from Authorities
NBC6 reached out to the Florida Department of Transportation. They say they are researching what happened.
Conclusion
The incident involving concrete falling from the Fort Lauderdale tunnel and smashing a car’s rear window raises serious concerns about safety and maintenance. It is crucial for the Florida Department of Transportation to investigate this matter thoroughly to prevent such incidents in the future.
FAQs
Q: What happened to Gary Gerbino’s car?
A: A piece of concrete fell from the ceiling of the Henry E. Kinney Tunnel in Fort Lauderdale and shattered his rear window.
Q: Was anyone injured in the incident?
A: Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, but Gerbino expressed concerns about what could have happened if the concrete had hit the windshield or if there were passengers in the backseat.
Q: What is the Florida Department of Transportation doing about the incident?
A: They have stated that they are researching what happened.
Q: Has the tunnel undergone any recent repairs or construction?
A: Yes, FDOT started a construction project in 2021 that was completed last year, which included repairs and safety improvements.
