A semi driver lost control of his rig in Temple, TX, hit a berm, ramped 100 feet and finally smashing into the second story of a motel. Great ghost of Jerry Reed!
For reasons that still remain unknown, 50-year-old Gustavo Rodriguez lost control of his truck loaded with auto parts and blasted at speed through an empty parking lot, hitting the earthen berm on the other side and launching the truck into the air, where it traveled over 100 feet at heights up to 20 feet and smashed through the second story facade of the Residence Inn motel. Two firehouses responded to the scene and after quickly working through the wreckage discovered, miraculously, that nobody had been seriously injured. Firefighters had to cut the driver out of the semi tractor and stabilize the structure with airbags to prevent further collapse. Temple authorities are reported to believe this to be the most successful Smokey and the Bandit, Dukes of Hazzard crossover incident in this history of Texas. (Thanks for the tip Chad!) [KXXV]