Drivers on edge after three cars hit by projectiles over weekend

PRUNEDALE, Calif. (KION) As drivers prepare to hit the road, they’re forced to think about the dozens of attacks on Highway 101 and State Route 156 near Prunedale. “I used to not worry about it too much, but now you're keeping your eye out,” said driver, Chet Lavender. 

Lavender said he drives on Highway 101 almost every day, but the threat of projectiles hitting his car is higher than ever before. The California Highway Patrol recently acknowledged that the rate of the crime has increased.

“It's probably a kid or someone that lives close by. They're just out on the freeway and they think it's funny. It’s not,” said Lavender. 

There have been few answers as to how the attacks are happening, and zero arrests have been made. 41 vehicles have been struck by projectiles since February 2019. 

The most recent incidents took place this weekend. Three vehicles have been struck since Friday evening. One of them was a school bus driving the Carmel High School Football team to a playoff game. There were injuries in both of Friday’s attacks.

"I'm surprised they haven't found any evidence to show where it's coming from. It's happened over 40 times. You think that they'd have somebody looking out for that, you know?,” said driver, Alex White.

The same spots are being targeted with each attack. Both Friday and Saturday’s incidents were reported near Vierra Canyon Road.

Drivers hope something is done before another life is put at risk. “We need an officer to see them, or a citizen to see them and go grab them. I don't know. It's going to take some luck,” said Lavender.