Ice flies off semi in Minnesota, smashes through windshield of car behind it

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Jon McLaughlin was extremely lucky to walk away with only minor injuries after a sheet of ice flew off a semi and crashed through his windshield on Tuesday. The incident happened on Hwy. 36 and Snelling Avenue in Roseville, Minn.

The 44-year-old from West St. Paul was in the right lane and about to exit at Snelling when the sheet of ice flew off the semi and hit his SUV's windshield. The semi kept going and has yet to be located. It is illegal for any vehicle to be driving with material that could potentially break loose and create a hazard to other drivers on the road. Semis are not required to remove snow and ice from the top of the trailer, but they can't lose their load or material that could harm someone, State Patrol Lt. Tiffani Nielson said, which would include ice.

"The State Patrol reminds motorists to check and remove any snow or ice before hitting the road," the Minnesota State Patrol said Wednesday. "We also remind drivers to stay back from large vehicles and remain alert, especially in winter and spring where we see freezing and melting temperatures."

Photos provided by Minnesota State Patrol