Bullet hits car on freeway

DOWNEY - Downey resident Fred Macintosh narrowly avoided injury when his car was hit by a bullet while driving down the freeway during Fourth of July celebrations Monday.The bullet was apparently shot straight up and landed on the roof of Macintosh's 2008 Ford Edge as he drove on the 405 Freeway in Carson. The bullet struck a double-reinforced area, preventing it from entering the passenger area, Macintosh said. If not for the reinforced steel, the bullet would have landed eight inches away from his arm. "My first impression was my car was hit by stray illegal fireworks that exploded on top of my car. It made a loud noise like an exploding M80 firecracker and it was so loud my ears were ringing for five minutes," said Macintosh. "I didn't know what it was until I got out of my car to see the bullet hole." "I reported it to the CHP and they said there is nothing they can do about it," he added. "I was so careful not to get any scratches (on my car) and now there is a bullet hole in the roof." Macintosh said he can't wash the car until the roof is fixed, but conceded he's "lucky to be alive."

********** Published: July 7, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 12