A tragic incident occurred when a man, who had just purchased flowers for his wife for a romantic evening, faced an unexpected and rare accident. Humberto Hernandez, a 24-year-old Californian resident, lost his life in an unusual turn of events caused by a blown tire from a passing vehicle.

According to Motorcycle Officer Eddie Bermudez, the fatal outcome was due to an extraordinary set of circumstances. If Humberto had been positioned even slightly to the left or right from where he stood on the sidewalk, he would have avoided the flying fire hydrant that ultimately struck him, leading to his untimely death. The officer described the incident as a one-in-a-million chance.

Humberto and his wife were walking along the street in June 2007, carrying a bouquet and cherries for their dinner reservation, when a Ford Escape driven by a 45-year-old woman suffered a blown tire and veered onto the sidewalk. The SUV collided with a fire hydrant, dislodging it from the ground and propelling it towards Humberto, hitting him in the back of the head.

The force of the impact was so severe that the hydrant continued through a fence after striking Humberto. Witnesses described the incident as sudden and devastating, with the hydrant maintaining enough momentum to pierce through the barrier despite its weight.

Authorities mentioned that the water pressure behind the 500-pound hydrant was akin to a speeding bullet. Humberto was tragically pronounced dead at the scene, while his wife, who was walking slightly behind him, miraculously escaped unharmed. The couple, recent immigrants to the United States, had limited resources and no family in the country.

The investigating officer revealed that Humberto’s wife was left with no support or financial means following the incident, emphasizing the couple’s isolation in a foreign land.