A tragic incident occurred when a man, who had just purchased flowers for his wife for a romantic evening, lost his life in an unexpected accident. The unfortunate event unfolded as a driver’s blown tire caused a fire hydrant to become airborne and crash through fences on an East Bay street, resulting in the untimely death of Californian resident, Humberto Hernandez.
According to Motorcycle Officer Eddie Bermudez, the fatal outcome was due to an incredibly rare circumstance. Had the victim’s position on the pavement been slightly different by just a foot in either direction, the tragic accident could have been avoided. The investigator described the incident as a “million-to-one chance.”
The incident took place in June 2007 while 24-year-old Humberto and his wife were walking on the street after buying flowers and cherries for their dinner reservation. At the same time, a Ford Escape driven by a 45-year-old woman experienced a blown tire and veered onto the pavement, colliding with a fire hydrant. The impact sent the hydrant hurtling towards Humberto, striking him in the back of the head.
Witnesses recounted how the flying hydrant narrowly missed Humberto’s wife as he walked slightly ahead of her. Despite its weight, the hydrant continued its trajectory, piercing through a fence after the tragic collision. Authorities noted that the water pressure was so intense that the 500-pound hydrant behaved like a projectile.
Law enforcement officers expressed shock at the unusual nature of the incident, with one remarking on the rarity of a death caused by a flying fire hydrant. Humberto was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind his uninjured wife, who had no immediate family or financial support in the country.
The heartbreaking event serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of life and the tragic consequences that can result from extraordinary circumstances.