Axe Flies Off Truck, Through Car Windshield

BOSTON — There was an unusual and scary axe-ccident in Topsfield early Wednesday.

A car passenger had a close shave when an axe flew off the back of a dump truck and pierced through the windshield of a sedan driving on Route 95 South in Topsfield, police said.

"Thankfully, the axe only went halfway through the windshield," Massachusetts State Police said in a Facebook post.

"The passenger who is partially seen in the photo was shaken up (who wouldn't be?) but not injured," the caption added.

The driver of the dump truck, who is a landscaper and Peabody resident, was cited by a trooper on charges of failing to secure cargo. According to State Police, the citation carries a $200 fine.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m.

State Police officials said in the post that motorists should remember to "properly secure items they are transporting." The driver of the sedan was also praised by police for driving within the speed limit.

"If he had been speeding, the increased velocity of his car would have increased the power of the axe's impact, meaning it could very well have gone through the glass and injured the passenger," State Police said in the post.

"We are very thankful that this situation did not have a worse ending," State Police said.