Deadly debris: Tool falls off truck on Georgia highway, kills woman

WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WTVC) — A tool fell off a semi-truck, went through another car's windshield, and killed the passenger, according to theGeorgia State Patrol.

Lynn Fleming, of Buford, was identified as the victim.

Authorities said it happened along Interstate 75 in Whitfield County on Tuesday, with a portion of the highway shut down for an hour while medics provided treatment.

The accident is bringing to light just how dangerous debris in the road can be.

This situation is very tragic and could have been so simply avoided," Scotty Smith, with theGeorgia State Patrol, said.

The tool, Smith said, was a cargo winch chain binder bar.

Thomas Wasson, with FrieghtWaves, said the bar is used to secure loads, usually flatbed trailers.

He said there is a place to put the bar when driving.

Typically, you're going to stow it in the compartments under the tractor or the 18 wheeler -- or they may stow it in the back of the cab," said Wasson.

This kind of tragic accident is not uncommon, according to Megan Cooper with AAA.

AAA research found that about two thirds of debris related crashes are the result of items falling from a vehicle," said Cooper.

The most recent study AAA did on the subject found road debris was a factor in more than 50,000 crashes between 2011 and 2014, causing 125 deaths.

Know what's in front of you, know what's behind you. You should also be looking about 12 to 15 seconds down the roadway," said Cooper.

Wasson said with an influx of drivers, training could have played part in the woman's death.

"You'll see instances where debris and other things will fly out of it. And a lot of times it's just lack of experience or lack of, you know, just paying attention," said Wasson. "Make sure you don't have your stuff flying out, which is really easy to do if you know, an 18 Wheeler is going 70 miles down the interstate."

The driver of the vehicle was not injured during the crash.