Police: Flying bolt killed driver on SH 146
LA PORTE, TX (KTRK) -- A large bolt likely flew off of a flatbed trailer, hit a motorist in the neck and killed him along State Highway 146, police say.
La Porte Police identified the man killed as 60-year-old Paul Hoffman, of Seabrook.
Hoffman was driving along State Highway 146 near Wharton Weems Blvd, when a piece of metal road debris flew through his windshield, striking him in the neck. He did not survive.
La Porte Police released a photo of the metal debris.
Chris Parmer, owner of Pasadena Trailer and Truck Accessories, said the photo appears to show a twist lock, typically used to secure shipping containers to large trucks.
"It holds the sea containers down on the 18-wheelers," Parmer said. "It secures them into place, and that allows them not to have to use chains or straps."
Parmer said most shipping containers are secured by at least four twist locks.
"It looks like the actual handle on the bottom is missing, the pin itself," he said. "That could have came loose."
Anybody who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the La Porte Police Department at 281-471-2141 and reference case number 1700837.
