Chunk of concrete flies off Michigan bridge, nearly kills woman

SOUTHGATE, Mich. (WJBK) - A massive chunk of concrete flew off a Southgate bridge and nearly killed a woman and residents say it has been crumbling and needs to be replaced.

The cement flew off the bridge that goes over Allen Road and it broke the woman's mirror off her car but she was unhurt otherwise. She's lucky to be alive but knows that it could have been much worse.

Regina West was driving to work in her Lincoln MKC Sunday afternoon on Dix-Toledo over Allen Road in Brownstown. The mother of three was headed north when a chunk of concrete went airborne and was headed straight towards her windshield.

"I'm like 'oh God'. I kind of swerved a little bit again. I didn't know if there was somebody next to me and I closed my eyes and prayed to God, 'please let me be okay,'" she said.

She was okay. The chunk of cement took off her mirror causing about $2,000 in damage. 

While she's physically okay, she was so shaken she took her fears to Facebook to warn others. 

"I know had that brick hit my window, it was coming right toward my face and my head," West said. "I don't want anybody else to get hurt."

The incident eerily reminiscent of the recent tragedy involving Kenneth White near Flint. The young father was killed when five teenagers allegedly threw a rock from an overpass, hitting the car she was riding in below. 

"I'm just glad that I am alive and nothing more happened, you know, because it could have been way worse," West said. "It could have been a total disaster and thank god it wasn't but if they don't do something, something is going to happen bad."

When FOX 2 arrived at the bridge, it was clear to see that the bridge was in need of repair. West said she won't use the road until it's fixed - but when will that be? Wayne County Public Services Road Division says they're picking up debris and will check for more each week.

The bridge is scheduled for a complete repair in April 2018.