Drivers prepare for deer, debris and other cars. Few expect a turtle to come flying through the air. That is what happened to a Georgia woman and her brother in May 2020, and the story spread quickly around the world.
Out of Nowhere
Latonya Lark and her brother Kevin Grant were running errands around noon on May 12, driving north on Harry S. Truman Parkway in Savannah, Georgia. Lark noticed something flying toward them. “I thought it was a brick,” she told CNN.
The object crashed into the passenger side of the windshield, inches from Grant, with a bang that Lark compared to a bomb. Grant said his first instinct was to cover himself. He escaped with only small cuts from the shattered glass, but the turtle ended up lodged halfway through the windshield.
How Did It Happen?
Nobody knows for certain. The Chatham County Police Department told WSAV that how or why the turtle became airborne is undetermined. Lark and Grant believe a car ahead struck it and sent it flying. “Whoever hit that turtle, they had to have been flying,” Lark told WSAV.
She also said that if she had not slowed down when she did, the turtle could have come entirely through the glass and injured her brother badly.
The Turtle’s Fate
Responding officers removed the turtle from the windshield. It was alive but had lost a leg, and it was taken to a wildlife facility for care. Sadly, it died days later from blood loss. The windshield was too damaged to drive on safely and the car had to be towed.
A Joke, and a Real Question About Insurance
Lark posted photos on Facebook with a warning: “Beware, Savannah, of flying turtles.” She added that the turtle was found at fault but had no insurance, and that she was “stuck with the bill.”
The joke touches a real issue. In many cases, damage caused by hitting an animal or flying debris is covered by comprehensive car insurance rather than collision coverage.
Protecting Yourself on the Road
Wildlife and road debris are part of everyday driving. A few practical steps can reduce the risk and the cost:
- Comprehensive auto insurance. Compare auto insurance quotes and check whether your policy includes comprehensive coverage and glass coverage.
- Windshield repair or replacement. Prompt windshield repair can prevent chips from becoming cracks, and many insurers offer zero-deductible glass coverage.
- Roadside assistance. A roadside assistance plan can cover towing after an accident like this one.
- Dash cams. A dash cam records what happened and can help with insurance claims.
- Defensive driving. Keep a safe following distance, watch for movement ahead and slow down near water, where turtles often cross.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the incident happen? On Harry S. Truman Parkway in Savannah, Georgia, in May 2020.
Was anyone hurt? Kevin Grant, the passenger, suffered minor cuts from broken glass.
Why did the turtle fly into the car? Police say it is unclear. The siblings think another vehicle hit it first.
Does car insurance cover this kind of damage? Damage from animals or debris is often covered by comprehensive coverage, but policies differ, so check yours.
Sources: WSAV, CNN, CBS News, and WFTV, all covering the May 2020 incident in which a turtle crashed through a car windshield on Harry S. Truman Parkway in Savannah, Georgia.
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