Freeway Rock-Thrower

I was most interested in your article about Daniel Yonan (“Rock Thrown at Car Put Boy’s Life on Line” by Ursula Vils, Aug. 13).

I too had a very big rock thrown at me as I came off the off ramp in the same area of the 210 Freeway. It was about 9:15 p.m. on a Friday in May.

I was coming into the Valley and missed the turnoff from the 118 to the 210. Realizing what I had done, I decided to exit on the first off ramp past the junction.

As I got onto the exit I turned on my high beams because it was so very dark in the area. As I flipped on the high beams, my eye caught sight of something flying through the air and coming right at the car from the passenger side. It was a huge rock and it hit my front fender of my new car. It then hit the ground with a loud thud.

I was alone in the car, so my one thought was to get out of the dark area and get back up on the freeway. I did not stop the car as I was scared. I knew someone had to be down on the side of the freeway.

When I arrived home and saw the dent in the passenger fender I knew I needed to report this.

I called LAPD and they weren’t interested and they told me to call CHP. I finally got someone to answer their line and no one is interested. They didn’t want to know the off ramp, my name, the damage or anything. I asked if they wanted me to make a report and they said I could come into any CHP office on Monday and report it for my insurance company.

I was frustrated, scared and upset--but thankful that the rock (or shot put as I described it) had not been thrown a little harder and five inches higher, as it would have come through the windshield. I hope your article makes people aware of the dangerous situation in this area. The next person may not be as lucky as Daniel--or me.

JO ANN CUNNINGHAM

Reseda

P.S. My car was repaired for $233.