A Tennessee man has lost his life after a large rock landed on his car, smashing through his windshield while on the way to work early Tuesday morning.
NBC4 reports that 54-year-old Joe C. Shelton Jr. was driving down I-24 in Nashville when a cement rock fell from the Shelby Avenue Bridge, close to the exit for Shelby Avenue, a little before 5 a.m. The severe impact caused Shelton to crash into Toyota truck and a guardrail. According to the Nashville Police Department, the boulder smashed through Shelton’s windshield and hit him in the face.
Although authorities initially stated they were trying to determine whether the incident was accidental or intentional, Nashville PD released a statement indicating that someone likely threw the rock from the bridge.
“At this point in the investigation, it appears likely that the chunk of concrete was thrown from the Shelby Avenue Bridge. TDOT bridge inspectors determined that the concrete was not a part of the bridge structure, but more closely resembled a roadway curb.”
The crash is now considered a homicide and authorities are searching for the responsible party. Police are currently reviewing area surveillance cameras.
MNPD investigating today's 4:54 a.m. death of Joe C. Shelton Jr., 54, on I-24 east near downtown after this chunk of concrete, likely thrown from the Shelby Av Bridge, went thru his windshield. Know who may have done this? 615-742-7463. pic.twitter.com/ehEOPXnfM6
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) November 20, 2018
Shelton was on his way to the Nissan plant in Shelby when the incident occurred. His employer later released a statement, offering condolences.
“Our deepest sympathies are with his family members, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time.”
Anyone with any information on the case or anyone who saw someone on or around the Shelby Avenue Bridge between 4:50 a.m. and 4:55 a.m. on Tuesday should contact Nashville PD at 615-742-7463.
[Feature Photo: Joe C. Shelton Jr./Nashville PD]
