Object Smashes Through Elderly Driver's Windshield, Killing Him On Hwy 101

MENLO PARK, CA – An elderly man was struck in the neck and killed by an unidentified object that flew through his windshield as he was driving northbound on U.S. Highway 101 in Menlo Park early this afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Witnesses said the Mountain View man, who appears to be in his early 80s, was struck by the item when it smashed through his windshield near Willow Road, said CHP Officer Art Montiel.

Montiel tells Patch the incident happened when "a projectile came through his front windshield and hit him on the left side of the neck," Montiel said.

After being struck, the driver collided with the center divide, eventually coming to a stop. No other vehicles were involved in the accident. Witnesses immediately tried to help the man, but he died at the scene.

At this point, it's still unclear what exactly went flying into the vehicle, or where it came from.

"We don't yet know what the object was," Montiel said.

The two left lanes of the highway were closed during the investigation, but reopened around 3 p.m., according to Montiel.

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--Bay City News and Renee Schiavone contributed to this report/File photo