A man is lucky to be alive after a tire flew into the window of a Houston-area clinic waiting room, officials said.
Surveillance video shows the tire flying off a freeway, apparently from a truck, and into the clinic’s window just as 77-year-old Manuel Mendoza was moving a chair.
He was directly in the tire’s path as it smashed through the glass, pushed the chair aside and knocked him to the floor.
Speaking through an interpreter, Mendoza said his mind went blank until he realized he was bleeding.
“All he remembers is like, sort of like an explosion – when a tank explodes, and the tire and his face,” the interpreter said.
Mendoza was not seriously hurt, suffering only a few cuts and bruises.
“The man is very lucky. I am so glad that he’s okay,” said clinic owner Dr. Joseph Sleiman. “The size of the tire, this man is very lucky, I believe probably because Christmas, God was here. This is what I believe because this is a miracle. The man is alive.”
Police are investigating where the tire came from, but said it’s unlikely they will find the truck it belonged to.
The broken glass has been replaced and Mendoza is healing.