Bakery Truck Driver’s Narrow Escape During Plane Crash

The driver of a bakery truck, who was involved in a collision with a United Airlines plane on the New Jersey Turnpike, felt he might be decapitated right before the incident, according to his father at a news conference on Tuesday.

Warren Beaudry Jr. was operating his truck for Baltimore’s H&S Bakery when United Flight 169 flew down and made contact with his 18-wheeler. His father, Warren Beaudry Sr., recounted, “He said he saw a flash, ducked down, and put his hands up.”

Dashcam footage from Beaudry Jr.’s vehicle captured the moments leading up to and during the crash. The video reportedly shows him hitting his head on the truck’s roof upon impact. Both Beaudry Sr. and Beaudry’s attorney, J. Windall Gordon, suggest this resulted in a significant head injury.

Beaudry Sr. described his son’s overwhelming fear, stating, “He thought his head was going to be cut off. That’s what he thought.”

Currently, Beaudry Jr. is at home recuperating. His attorney mentioned that he’s coping with considerable pain and emotional distress, emphasizing, “This isn’t something that heals overnight.” Beaudry Sr. added that his son’s mental state is also concerning, noting the experience was traumatic and difficult to process.

In a broader reflection on safety, Beaudry Sr. remarked on the thin line between life and death, suggesting that if his son had been driving just a bit faster or slower, the outcome could have been tragic.

Gordon indicated that while the Beaudry family is considering the option of legal action, their primary focus right now is understanding the incident. He expressed skepticism about the circumstances, stating, “Planes don’t just fall from the sky, and hitting 18-wheelers on the New Jersey Turnpike isn’t typical; there must be some negligence.”

Additionally, he noted they are committed to accumulating all facts before deciding on any potential litigation, stressing the importance of a thorough investigation.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration are currently looking into the incident. They have asked United Airlines to hand over key flight recorders to assist in their inquiry. According to the NTSB, a preliminary report detailing the incident’s facts is expected within 30 days.

United Airlines, in its own statement, acknowledged the incident involving Flight 169 striking a utility pole but confirmed that the flight landed safely without injuries to passengers or crew.