Jul 27, 2006 11:40 pm US/Eastern
Man Injured By Rocks Thrown Off Worcester Overpass
May Lose Vision In Right Eye
WORCESTER (CBS4) ―
A 55-year-old Ludlow man was critically injured Thursday morning when he was struck by a large rock in the head, thrown from the Laurel Street overpass, while he riding on Interstate 290 east in Worcester.
State police said it happened shortly before 5 a.m. near Exit 17.
The rock went through the windshield of the Volvo and struck Michael Porra in the face. The car then swerved and hit a guardrail.
Porra is listed in critical condition at UMass Medical Center. It's possible that he may lose vision in one eye.
"Both his eyes are swollen shut," said his wife, Anna Porra. "His right eye, he might have a problem with; he might not be able to see out of it. His eye just shifted totally."
Two other vehicles, a Nissan XTerra and a Chevrolet Silverado, were also struck by rocks but the drivers were not injured. State Police said the rocks were thrown off the Laurel Street overpass.
"The consequences were awful," said State Trooper, Thomas Ryan. "We have a 55-year-old man who sustained very serious injuries as a result of the actions of one or more persons."
Two rocks, between four and six inches in diameter, were recovered from the scene.
(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
