DORAVILLE, GA – A remarkable tale of survival unfolded on I-285 in DeKalb County when Tanya Young lived through a terrifying accident that could have taken her life. On a seemingly ordinary Monday morning, Young’s commute took a dramatic turn when a tire, believed to have detached from a commercial truck, crashed into her SUV’s windshield, causing catastrophic damage.
The incident occurred just before 7 a.m., and the aftermath left a haunting image: the roof of Young’s SUV was nearly gone, and the errant tire lay ominously in front of the vehicle. Despite the severity of the crash, Young emerged with only minor injuries, attributing her survival to her unwavering faith.
In a recount of the harrowing event, Young described the tire’s trajectory as akin to a frisbee soaring through the air. “I looked up because I saw something flying,” she recalled, “and I just remember seeing Jesus.” Her belief in divine intervention was reinforced when her SUV’s safety system activated, bringing the vehicle to an automatic stop.
The moments following the crash were a blur for Young, but the experience in the ambulance was unforgettable. Emergency responders, amazed by her survival, expressed their awe and described Young as an “angel.” This profound moment left Young reflecting on the fragility of life, especially as she remembered a neighbor who had not survived a similar incident just a week prior.
Attorney Miguel Dominguez, commenting on the frequency of such accidents, noted the absence of federal tracking for these so-called “wheel-off” crashes. “It should be tracked,” Dominguez asserted, emphasizing the likelihood of human error in these incidents. “Wheels and lug nuts don’t just come off.”
In the wake of the crash, tips and photographs of a potential truck involved have been forwarded to Doraville police, who are actively pursuing leads. This ongoing investigation underscores the need for increased awareness and preventive measures to avert future tragedies.