A bakery truck driver in the United States narrowly escaped death after a low-flying passenger aircraft struck his vehicle while he was driving along the New Jersey Turnpike near Newark Liberty International Airport.
According to CBS News, the incident involved a Boeing 767 operated by United Airlines during its landing approach.
Plane's landing gear hit truck
The driver, Warren Boardley Jr., was driving a bakery delivery truck on one of America's busiest highways when the aircraft reportedly came in unusually low and clipped the vehicle.
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One of the plane's landing gear tyres smashed through the truck's windshield and side window, spraying shattered glass inside the cabin and injuring Boardley Jr.'s arm and hand.
Despite the impact, he survived and managed to contact his family soon after the incident.
Insane NEW footage of the United Airlines Boeing 767 that recently hit a truck at Newark with a tire, shattering at least one window and injuring the driver, Warren Boardley.
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇠(@Bubblebathgirl) May 5, 2026
Why are airports allowed to be built so close to active roads?
So dangerous! pic.twitter.com/ANdzcKh3ws
Father recalls shocking phone call
Boardley Jr.'s father, Warren Boardley Sr., later described the terrifying moment his son called him after the accident.
"He couldn't believe it. He called me and told me that a plane had hit him. I couldn't believe it," Boardley Sr said.
The father said his son reportedly suffered injuries across his body, including head and internal injuries, and remains traumatised by the experience.
"Right now, we are blessed to have him. He's alive," NDTV quoted him as saying. "The mental things he's going through, and the physical stuff, all of that should pass, the physical at least. The mental will stay with you a long time."
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New surveillance and dash‘cam footage shows a United Airlines Flight UA169 (Boeing 767) striking a bakery truck on the New Jersey Turnpike during its landing approach to Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey.
— GeoTechWar (@geotechwar) May 5, 2026
The truck driver suffered only minor injuries, the plane pic.twitter.com/57YI0zhNK4
Investigation launched
The unusual nature of the accident left the family stunned.
"Out of all the things in the world, a plane? You can't prepare for that. You can prepare for another driver doing something, but a plane? That's unbelievable," Boardley Sr. said.
"Nobody ever expects an airplane to drop out of the sky and hit a truck, especially with my child in it."
Boardley Jr. is now recovering at home and is reportedly not planning to return to truck driving.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the incident. Officials said they will examine flight operations, weather conditions, crew coordination, air traffic control and other factors.
United Airlines confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and no passengers or crew members were injured.
