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Ice Falls Off Truck, Seriously Injures Westford Man

WESTFORD (CBS) – Ice flying off a tractor trailer slammed into a car in New Hampshire, seriously injuring the driver inside.

While driving in Mason, New Hampshire on Route 31, 64-year-old Stanley Raczelowski of Westford was hit by the ice, which fell off the roof of a tractor trailer.

"These chunks were approximately three feet in diameter and six inches thick. And the reason I say about six inches thick is the front end of that car sustained substantial damage," said Sgt. Paul Hunt of the New Hampshire State Police. "(The ice) subsequently hit him, causing serious head and face trauma."

WBZ-TV's Jim Smith reports.

The police are looking for the truck's driver, who never stopped.

"It's against the law for trucks to drive without cleaning the trailers on their car. It's illegal for cars not to clean off the hoods of their car. It's the ice, not the snow, that presents such a danger to everybody," said Sgt. Hunt.

Raczelowski suffered a possible broken jaw and nose.

"It's dangerous, and…we've had so much snow lately that trucks will get covered in it, but I do think that it should get cleaned off before they go on a major highway because I've heard of this before, too. Other cars getting windshields just shattered by ice, and it's just a dangerous hazard," said Alesia Raczelowski, the victim's daughter.

Raczelowski's wife said he will need facial surgery, but early tests show that he has normal brain function.

The truck company responsible will be cited and fined, according to officers.

New Hampshire state police said they need help with vehicles that have ice and snow on them. Anyone who spots vehicle covered in ice should call state police.

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