[TheForge] Shots fired? - YAK

[Dan Rathburn]

Walter
I would suspect a small stone from the trucks tire over a gun shot . If a
shot had it the window I would thingk that there would have to be an other
hole in the car or the bullit lodges in the car somewhere.


Dan Rathburn
Elgin, IL USA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Walter L. Mullett" <wmullett@bright.net>
To: <theforge@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2002 9:04 PM
Subject: [TheForge] Shots fired? - YAK


> Allright - for some of you physics buffs...
>
> I was traveling on a 2 lane paved highway in the country and just passing
a
> semi coming in the opposite direction when WHAM .... my driver's side,
door
> window was fully crazed.  At first, there was a 2-3 inch x 1/2" slot in
the
> window ... just about head height and right beside me, then the whole
window
> slowly fell apart into my truck.
>
> When it happened, I realized the truck's cab had just passed but I was not
> yet beyond his duals.  I looked at my mirror and could also see the trucks
> mirror and they were both ok.  Thinking maybe something came off the truck
> or possibly that his wheel had blown, I turned around and caught up with a
> truck.  Nothing was apparently wrong with the truck and it may be it wa
snot
> the same one I had passed since there were two cross roads between where
it
> happened and where I caught up with him.
>
> When I had the window replaced, the repair shop suggested that I report it
> to the police because he thought there were some shootings in the area.  I
> went ahead and did that but the deputy kind of thought I was mistaken ...
> maybe he even thought I was nuts.  BTW - The deputy said there was a
problem
> a couple of years ago in that area but nothing lately and that person was
> not found.
>
> I have done some thinking about this and there are two things that concern
> me.  First is the slot that was cut in the window right beside my head.  I
> saw nothing in my side vision and I have a wide vision area.  To cut this
> slot, the object would have to match that size or be moving very fast at
an
> angle.  Second is that there was glass on my dash on the opposite side of
> the truck.  That seems to mean that the trajectory of the object was in
the
> same direction I was going.
>
> My questions.
>
> What kind of force does it take to break this window?
> Do you think anything thrown up from the front wheels of the truck could
> have enough power in the limited angle it would have?
>
> I think maybe someone behind me and facing the truck was aiming at the
> truck's windshield and missed.
>
> Any comments?
>
> Walt