SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A man barely escaped serious injury Feb. 17 after a lit cigarette he tried to tossout the window while driving across the Bay Bridge blew back in and ignited thevehicle, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The unidentified man was driving westbound at about 10:40 a.m. when hetossed the cigarette out the window of his Ford Expedition, said CHP OfficerShawn Chase.
Carried by the wind, the cigarette landed in his back seat and almostimmediately burst into flames. The man quickly pulled to the side of the road,and leapt from the flame-filled SUV, which continued rolling into a guard rail,Chase said.
The incident forced the closure of the Harrison Street off-ramp and onelane of traffic flowing into the city for about an hour.
