Published on Saturday, June 17, 2006
in the WFTV News

Objects Thrown At Vehicles For Second Straight Night

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- For the second straight night, someone threw objects at speeding cars on Orange County roads. Troopers and deputies were asking for the public's help Friday to make sure it doesn't happen again.

As you hit the highways around Orange County, troopers are urging you to pay attention to more than just the road.

"If they see someone up there, they might be little bit prepared," said Lt. Eddie Herrell, Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP's expressway squad was taking a close look at overpasses and embankments along toll roads like the Greeneway, East-West and Beachline expressways after attacks on three separate cars in two days.

"Probably wouldn't be a whole lot different, depending on the size of the rock, as shooting a bullet. When it hits at 70 mph, it can be devastating," Herrell said.

Early Friday morning, it was on the 417, just north of Colonial. Someone hurled chunks of concrete at a tow truck and a state juvenile justice transport van, which was carrying four inmates. Both vehicles wound up with smashed windshields, but no one was hurt.

A day earlier, 17-year-old Jonathan Banther and his 16-year-old friend Stephen Avagnano were arrested for throwing a rock off a bridge over the 408 in Waterford Lakes. The target happened to be an undercover deputy, who also wasn't hurt.

It was amazing luck in three separate attacks, but troopers wonder if the next case will have a less fortunate ending.

While the Highway Patrol usually discourages you from using your cell phone behind the wheel, in this case they're hoping you will pick up your phone and call *FHP if you see anyone suspicious on the side of the road or on an overpass. That way they can investigate and hopefully stop the crime before it happens.