Teen Struck By Freeway Debris In Orange Succumbs To His Injuries

LA HABRA (CBSLA.com) — A La Habra teenager has died five days after being struck by freeway debris in Orange.

Ethan Hawks was traveling in the passenger seat of his mother's car last Saturday when a piece of metal shot through the windshield.

The metal, which weighed between five to ten pounds, subsequently struck the 17-year-old's neck, cutting his carotid artery.

The incident happened on the southbound lanes of the 57 Freeway.

Hawks was being treated at UC Irvine Medical Center, where he died early Thursday.

Hawks was a defensive-end at Whittier Christian High School.

His coach described him as an outgoing young man who loved playing on the team.

It remains unclear whether the debris fell off a truck, or was kicked up from the roadway.