‘It could have killed me’: Third recent local rock-throwing incident smashes driver’s windshield

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A 19-year-old driver escaped injury Saturday night after a rock apparently was thrown through his truck's windshield on Rickard Road near Bend. The incident resulted in a shattered windshield and left debris across the vehicle's interior.

The driver, Colton Kirkpatrick, was traveling on the outskirts of the city when the rock entered the cabin and landed on the passenger seat.

This event marks at least the third recent report of rocks hitting vehicles in the area, following a similar incident on Highway 97 involving two other cars, one an Oregon State Police patrol car which shattered its windshield.

Kirkpatrick described the moment the object hit his truck while he was traveling on Rickard Road. He initially thought the approaching object was a bird before it impacted the glass.

"I think I see a bird, but it's actually a rock - and it flies through my windshield that came up from over here," Kirkpatrick said. "Completely shatters the windshield. Lands on the seat next to me. Glass is all over my lap."

Kirkpatrick said the rock narrowly missed him during the drive. He noted that if the object had been just one foot closer, it would have struck him directly in the face. Kirkpatrick said he hopes the community remains alert because a similar situation could happen to anyone.

Upon returning home after the incident, Kirkpatrick spoke with his parents about the encounter. He said they expressed relief that he was not physically harmed.

"The first thing they did was hug me," Kirkpatrick said. "And said that they're so glad that I'm okay. I wasn't hurt. I mean, because, I mean - easily could have killed me."

KTVZ has reached out to the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office for information regarding the investigation.