Turkeys causing car accidents in Groton

GROTON, Conn. (WTNH) - Twice in two days, drivers in southeastern Connecticut have had a close encounter with a big bird.

Both were traveling the same stretch of I-95 just outside Groton when wild turkeys suddenly swooped and slammed into their cars.

A new windshield is being put on a car because of what is becoming a very serious problem. Not just birds hitting windshields but turkeys, big turkeys. The driver is lucky that all she has to replace is a window.

Jamie Page of Auto Glass Dynamics changes about five windshields a year due to car versus turkey accidents. Even though this windshield is completely shattered, he says he's seen a lot worse. Sometimes turkeys go right through them.

"Oh yeah it can come right on your lap. I"ve heard of people getting killed from it," says Page.

In comparison, Kirsten Pechout is lucky. She was driving along Interstate 95 South near exit 88 in Groton when she saw this now deceased turkey standing on the side of the road.

"I didn't think it was actually going to walk in the road, let alone take flight and hit my windshield," says Pechout.

But that's exactly what it did. With a car to her right she didn't have any choice but to take the high speed hit.

"It was definitely a shock I was not expecting that at all, and I went over when I could and just kind of parked on the side of the road and thought about what happened and was a little freaked out," says Pechout.

This is the second time a car in this area of I-95 has hit a turkey. The other driver had to be taken away by ambulance.

Highway hazards are keeping Auto Glass Dynamics workers busy.

"Any bird will break a window pretty much at doing 75 miles an hour, 65 I should say," says Page.

The hazards are also keeping Kirsten Pechout on the edge of her driver's seat.

"Not only do I have to watch out for deer now, but turkeys as well," says Pechout.

With a new windshield, Pechout is able to drive away while others endured for more damage.