‘It's a miracle': 35,000 lb. excavator crushes car in Apollo;...

The Apollo police chief said, “It’s a miracle anyone made it out alive,” after an excavator crushed a car in Armstrong County Monday.

Investigators said the 35,000-pound piece of construction equipment was being hauled through the borough when it somehow fell off the flatbed truck it was on.

A car driving in the opposite lane on Route 56 between Third Street and Route 66 was crushed, but the driver inside escaped unharmed.

“My heart dropped because at the time, we didn’t know the patient was out,” Apollo Assistant Fire Chief Denny McCain said.

Channel 11’s Jennifer Tomazic spoke to the driver, Dustin Best, late Monday morning. He said he has some bruising and a few cuts on his hands but he’s otherwise fine.

“There was glass in my shoes and pants, but I’m pretty lucky,” Best said.

Best said he was on his way to work at a local coal mine when the accident happened. He said he noticed the excavator looked like it was sliding on the truck, but by the time he put his car in reverse it was too late.

“I could tell it was starting to shift weight. But by the time I got to reverse it, it was already on the car,” Best said. “It was like slow motion. But I was still sort of in disbelief that it was going to happen.”

The dump truck driver who was hauling the excavator acted quickly and helped Best get out of his car. He said he’s thankful for the driver's quick thinking, and was able to escape his crushed car through the driver’s side window.

“I thank you very much because it was scary and they didn’t try to bust me up or anything. They were helping me, so I thank you,” Best said to the people who helped him.

Investigators said the tractor hauling the excavator may have blown a tire as it was attempting to make a turn, causing the device to topple over.

Route 56 in the area was closed while crews worked to clear the scene.

Police said they don’t believe any charges will be filed.