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Driver Hits Obstacle, Goes Airborne and Slips Under Tractor Trailer, Survives

One Uxbridge, Massachusetts man is thanking his lucky stars after a crash earlier this week that could have easily claimed his life, in addition to totaling his vehicle.
Car slides under tractor trailer after becoming airborne, driver unhurt 11 photos
Photo: Facebook / Uxbridge Fire Department
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Not only is Ricki Artruc not dead, but he is also mostly unharmed after what is best described as a freak and very violent accident. It saw his car become airborne and then completely slide under a tractor trailer until it nearly came out the other side. Then, it was dragged for a short distance by the trailer, until the driver realized what had happened.

The Uxbridge Fire Department has posted photos from the accident site, together with a description of it. They say Artruc was able to get out of the car on his own, through the broken window on the driver’s side. Artruc himself tells NBC 10 Boston that his only thought after the tractor trailer stopped was that he needed to get out, lest his car caught fire and he would burn to death.

“This vehicle hit an object while traveling North, causing it to become airborne, when it landed the operator had no brakes,” the Uxbridge FD writes. “The vehicle went across the grassy area, and into the North Bound on ramp, sliding completely under this trailer and just about out the other side. Then was dragged a good distance up the on-ramp.”

Artruc says he hit a big piece of concrete on the highway and it made his car become airborne. After flying over the grassy patch, upon landing back on the road, he realized his wheel and brakes were gone, so he had no way of avoiding impact with the tractor trailer.

“You try to pay attention to what’s going on, but there’s one little thing can catch you,” Artruc says. “Thank God he doesn’t want me yet.”

Artruc was taken to the hospital for a checkup, but was released immediately with only bumps and bruises.

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About the author: Elena Gorgan
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Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
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