Close Call for Bakery Truck Driver as United Airlines Plane Crashes

A bakery truck driver had a near-fatal experience when his vehicle was struck by a United Airlines plane landing at Newark Airport. He reportedly felt as if he was on the brink of losing his head just moments before the impact.

Warren Beaudry Jr., who drives for H&S Bakery based in Baltimore, was navigating the New Jersey Turnpike when a sudden flash of light caught his attention just seconds before the collision, as shared by his father, Warren Beaudry Sr.

“He mentioned fear—complete fear, thinking he might get decapitated. That’s the impression he had,” Beaudry Sr. told reporters at a press conference, confirming his son’s state of mind during the traumatic event.

The 39-year-old driver was seen on dashcam footage gazing out the passenger side as the Boeing 767-400 descended and collided with his tractor-trailer.

According to his father, “He said he saw a flash, so he ducked down and put his hands up, which is probably when he hit his head.”

“If he had been going even a mile an hour faster or slower, he might not be here,” Beaudry Sr. expressed. “It’s a shocking reality. No parent wishes to witness their child in such danger.”

After the crash, Beaudry Jr. sustained minor injuries and was taken to Baltimore. Still, his father expressed concerns about potential underlying brain issues following the traumatic incident. “His whole body hurts from that impact,” he added.

Beaudry Sr. also remarked on the mental and emotional toll of the crash, noting that it has been an incredibly traumatic experience for the whole family.

The family attorney, J. Windall Gordon, characterized Beaudry Jr.’s injuries as “blunt force trauma to the head” and mentioned that further assessment is necessary to determine if he has a “closed head injury.” Gordon indicated that Beaudry Jr. is currently experiencing significant distress and pain, yet is trying to recuperate at home.

Beaudry’s brother reflected on their emotional relief that the family does not have to plan a funeral. “Today was supposed to be a day of mourning, but instead, we’re celebrating his survival,” he shared, expressing gratitude for his brother’s life.

The United Airlines flight, which had just completed a nine-hour journey from Venice, Italy, was attempting a challenging visual landing on Runway 29. The circumstances surrounding the landing included a short runway, inadequate guidance lights, and crosswinds, contributing to the unexpected incident.

As the plane struck the truck and a utility pole, Beaudry Jr.’s vehicle ultimately crashed into a concrete barrier. Despite the harrowing circumstances, the United Airlines flight, carrying 221 passengers and a crew of ten, managed to land safely.

Gordon is currently waiting for feedback from United Airlines and airport officials to better understand why the plane collided with Beaudry’s truck. He stated, “Planes don’t just fall out of the sky. We anticipate some negligence here, but we’re not rushing into legal action without full knowledge of the facts.”