SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - East San Diego County drivers detailed Monday the moments they drove over concrete blocks that were deliberately left in lanes of Interstate 8 last weekend.
On Monday, the CHP investigated a new report of concrete blocks on the freeway at Japatul Valley Rd. The blocks turned out to be a planter box that accidentally fell from a truck and was not related to the earlier incident.
On Saturday, as many as ten cars were damaged after hitting concrete blocks on west I-8 east of Dunbar Lane in Alpine. The vehicles had bent wheels and flat tires. CHP officers found four concrete parking stops and three cinder blocks on a nearby shoulder.
Between Jan. 1 and Feb. 7 there were four other reports of landscape retaining wall blocks in the same traffic lanes, which led to several collisions. No significant injuries have been reported.
The CHP believes the incidents are linked because the blocks were similar.
The vehicles that struck the blocks Saturday had bent wheels and flat tires. CHP officers found four concrete parking stops and three cinder blocks on a nearby shoulder.
Mak Daoud was a passenger in a car. He says he caught a glimpse of a concrete parking stop "perfectly perpendicular" to the shoulder right before the car hit it.
"We couldn't change lanes because traffic. We had to hit it. Bang, bang. Two tires went out," said Daoud. Matthew, who asked us not to use his last name, says he was riding his Harley in that fast lane when he went flying.
"Launched me a few feet in the air. I managed to land on my bike and swerved a few moments. If I wasn't perfectly straight on or if the concrete was turned differently, I may not be here. This person needs to be caught," said Matthew.
The impact jammed Matthew's wrist and shoulder, causing "shooting pains." He's headed for X-rays.
RELATED: CHP searching for suspect after concrete blocks left on I-8
Patrols have been increased in the area. There is currently no information about a suspect. Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious is asked to call the CHP at 619-401-2000.
Tonight on 10News at 6, reporter Michael Chen talks to drivers who struck the blocks in the road. A motorcyclist explains the only reason he's still alive.
