St. John's drivers warned about overpass delinquents after at least 2 vehicles damaged by thrown debris

Drivers in St. John's have to watch out for large rocks and other alarming items in roadways, after two separate instances of debris striking cars and causing damage occurred Thursday evening. 

Car towing company R&D Towing & Recovery warned drivers in a Facebook post to travel with extreme caution on Team Gushue Highway, after towing a number of cars over the last year with "extreme mechanical damage."

On Thursday, the company says it towed a boulder victim after a Dodge Caravan struck a massive boulder, blowing out its tires.

"When we arrived to tow the gentleman's van, we seen the rocks that had been dropped, and also the chunks that were taken out of the pavement from the rocks coming off the overpass," said the company in its social media post.

The company also suggests thrown or fallen debris from city overpasses is an ongoing issue: last year, the post said, one customer struck a microwave and three large boulders under the Old Pennywell Road overpass. The collision cracked off the car's front tire, "ending him into the ditch which caused the airbags to pop."

The company told CBC News they think someone is deliberately throwing these rocks in the road.

Overpass hooligans

The driver of the Dodge Caravan wasn't the only person behind the wheel Thursday to fear objects falling from the sky. 

Another driver shared a video on Facebook of two people around 4:15 p.m. throwing objects from the Columbus Drive overpass over Kenmount Road, smashing the glass roof of his Tesla. 

In his post he warns other drivers, and says the RNC told him that this has happened a few other times this summer.

WATCH | If someone throws something at your car, contact police, says Const. James Cadigan:

Rocks and microwaves are being thrown from metro overpasses

4 months ago

Duration 0:33

One driver said his car roof was damaged after he says two people on the Columbus drive overpass threw something. In a separate incident, a St. John’s tow truck driver shared startling pictures of smashed items and damaged cars. RNC Const. James Cadigan says police can only investigate official reports.

Const. James Cadigan, media spokesperson for the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, said police were made aware of the event, and are investigating. 

Cadigan is asking that anyone with information or dashcam footage contact police.

As for the debris on the Team Gushue Highway, Cadigan says the RNC is yet to receive reports. 

"Certainly, posting it on social media is helping to warn our neighbours, our friends," he said. "It's important that information is reported so that we can respond immediately and provide an appropriate investigation."

In the meantime, Cadigan says it's important for drivers to stay vigilant. 

"If you're traveling on our roads, you reduce your speeds as you're accessing these types of areas and be aware of your surroundings," he said.

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