PHOTOS: Plywood flies through driver's windshield

MADERA, Calif. (KMPH) — A driver had a close call while commuting to work as a large piece of plywood flew through her windshield inches away from her Saturday evening.

In California, it is against the law to drive a vehicle on the highway with a load unsecured or improperly covered, according to California Vehicle Code Sections 23114 and 23115.

When KMPH spoke with Crystal Christman, she said she feels she escaped death.

"I have a 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter and the thought of her not having me, me dying ... it scared me so bad," said Christman. "To think that something like that could happen to anyone, and I'm sure it does, but you just never think it's going to happen to you."

The entire event happened while Christman was driving to work Saturday evening in Madera.

"My fiancé takes me to work multiple times because we share a vehicle right now, so that day happened. Yesterday had happened to be a day he had already gotten a ride from his mom to work so I was going by myself to my job," she said.

Her warning to others: always pay attention while driving.

"You just never know what's going to happen and you know when they say drive defensively, you really have to because anything could happen," said Christman. "I mean nobody could have saw that happening."

Madera California Highway Patrol (CHP)Public Information Officer Javier Ruvalcaba said making sure the things a person is transporting in a vehicle are properly covered or tied down is very important because it could cause a very serious accident.

Be cognisant of what you're carrying, be cognisant of what you're transporting and be a safe driver," said Ruvalcaba. "If you see a vehicle transporting an object that you think it may be dangerous, either speed up or fall behind at a safe distance to where you don't become a target."

Madera CHP said if you are transporting an item in your car, double-check it's secure.

"The most important thing is mainly for public safety and second of all is, you know, it's a violation of the law," said Ruvalcaba. A near-death experience that could have turned tragic has left Christman counting her blessings.

"It was definitely a miracle and I am just so blessed that I get to be here with my child and with my family and it definitely traumatized me to where I'm very nervous to drive again, but you know, I just have to trust that God's going to take care of me," she said.

Safety tips from the County of Orange Waste and Recycling:

• Tie down and secure large items when transporting.
• Make sure that any covering is tied down, and can’t shift, catch the wind or pop out.
• Place lighter items underneath heavier items to help keep them in place.
• Balance the weight to make it even; avoid being top-heavy.
• Make sure your truck or trailer bed does not have a hole or tear where debris can escape.
• Remove any loose material that may remain in the trailer or truck bed before leaving the landfill.

Christman said the driver whose plank flew into her windshield did not stop. She is looking for assistance in paying her deductible to repair her windshield.

"To the person whose wood plank flew out of their truck, could you please contact me — no questions asked — for help with deductible as I can't afford it at this time. I run a gift basket business and need my vehicle for work, either email me at tbcgiftbaskets@gmail.com or contact me at https://www.facebook.com/TheBasketCase.01 Thank you."