The driver of a Ford Escape wasn't able to control the vehicle after one of its tires blew, and the large SUV swerved to the sidewalk and hit a fire hydrant. According to Firefighter Now, fire hydrants can weigh anywhere from 150 to 500 pounds, depending on the type of metal used (brass or cast iron) and the amount of water pressure it can take. The heavier it is, the more water pressure it can withstand. Per The Orange County Register, the fire hydrant that the Ford Escape crashed into weighed about 200 pounds, and the impact sent it flying into the air. In addition, the water pressure was so strong that according to a sheriff, the fire hydrant flew like a bullet.
Reports said that Humberto Hernandez was about 10 feet away from the accident and was walking a little bit ahead of his wife when the flying fire hydrant struck him on the back of the head. It then ricocheted and went through a fence (via the East Bay Times). Hernandez was declared dead at the scene minutes after the accident. "I've seen people hit fire hydrants but never anyone killed by a flying fire hydrant," one officer said.
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