Husband: Wife Is “Walking Miracle” After Tree Crushes Car
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CHARLOTTE, NC – There is concern high winds in Charlotte could cause more trees to come crashing down like one that hit a car in Elizabeth Thursday night.
One of the two people inside the car is still in the hospital. The driver, Diane Copeland, is out of the hospital and told WCCB she is “okay” and “hanging in there.” Copeland’s husband said, “It’s a blessing she is alive,” and called her a “walking miracle.”
WCCB Charlotte’s Audrina Bigos went to the crash scene on Seventh Street near Ridgeway Avenue with Charlotte arborist Patrick George.
“This over here has actually been dead so long, it’s actually turning into soil,” said George about the red maple trunk off Seventh Street.
George pointed to what he called black rot.
“Losing strength, adding weight. At some point, something has got to give and then you throw in 30 mile per hour winds… bang, there you have it,” said George.
The City of Charlotte says the tree was inspected in 2012. At that point, officials say it showed no signs of distress and listed it as being in fair condition.
“The budget of the city doesn’t allow them to do anything but remove what’s damaged. You can’t really see how bad this is unless you do third or fourth level examinations,” said George.
The city says it’s reviewing its inspection process. After that, it will decide whether changes need to be made.
“There’s nothing you can do. We’re pretty helpless,” said David Kandle, an Elizabeth resident.
David Kandle has lived in Elizabeth for 18 years.
Kandle says he’s seen the damage trees in the neighborhood can do. He walked past the spot where the tree fell an hour before the accident.
“It’s pretty wild, and I’m surprised it doesn’t happen more often,” said Kandle.
City staff inspects more than 10,000 trees a year.
