Autumn McClure, Soddy Daisy, Tennessee woman killed in freak accident when brake part smashed through the windshield of car she was a passenger in, as authorities now investigate tragedy which took place on I-75 in Ringgold, Georgia.
A 20 year old female passenger has died in what Georgia authorities described as a ‘freak accident’ after a car part flew off the back of a truck and went through a windshield, striking and ‘killing her instantly’ her as she sat in the front seat of her boyfriend’s car.
Autumn McClure, 20, was in the passenger seat of her boyfriend Tyler Nunley’s automobile as they drove along a Georgia highway when a brake caliper flew off the back of a truck as it passed their vehicle.
Was driver of other vehicle aware of car part that flew off?
The object ‘slammed’ into McClure’s chest and neck, mortally wounding her, according to social media posts her family shared.
‘My beautiful baby sister Autumn McClure was tragically killed this morning in a crazy car accident,’ her sister, Simone Matherly, wrote in one Facebook post.
‘Myself and my family are in complete disbelief,’ the sibling wrote. ‘It still doesn’t seem real.’
The freak incident happened on I-75 in Ringgold, Georgia, Wednesday afternoon, WJCL reported.
Police there are investigating the incident but could not share further details, WTVC reported.
A photo shared online shows a gray Hyundai with a gaping hole in its shattered windshield.
Daughter and sister remembered
It remained unclear whether the driver whose vehicle the caliper came off of stopped, or was aware of what had happened.
McClure, a college student hailed from Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, just north of the Georgia border.
‘I am beyond lost for words, and the reality of it hasn’t set in yet. I guess i am writing this to make other people aware, that taking 3 extra minutes to double check, may save someone’s life.’ McClure’s brother, Collin Le wrote on social media.
‘Take a minute to call your love ones / siblings,’ Le added. ‘Also, for the ones that drive a truck with stuff thrown in the bed, please take a minute to evaluate the potential risk of those items flying out, causing injury to others.’
McClure also had a twin sister, Ivy, and the two were set to turn 21 next month. ‘I don’t have many words just that I love you and will miss you for the rest of my life,’ Ivy wrote on Facebook. ‘You will always be my other half.’
Charges forthcoming?
Autumn was the Class of 2022 salutatorian at Soddy-Daisy High School and was enrolled in a graphic design program at Chattanooga State Community College, according to a GoFundMe page organized by Le.
An online obituary written by her family described her as a ‘sweet soul’ that ‘touched so many people.’
McClure is survived by her mother, two brothers, nieces and the ‘love of her life,’ Tyler Nunley, whose car she was traveling in when she was fatally struck.
‘Autumn, you were the brightest, most spectacular part of my life,’ the boyfriend wrote in an Instagram post.
‘I was always so excited to make it home to see you, to say hi, hug you, pick you up, hear about your day, hear about all your work drama, and most especially to give you your daily foot rub that you loved so much,’ Nunley said.
‘I hope you might watch over me and help me be strong,’ he added.
Georgia authorities to date have not said how the brake part came to be dislodged from the truck and whether there would be any charges forthcoming.
According to Georgia law, driving with an unsecured load is a misdemeanor. The maximum penalty for a conviction is 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
