Giants punter unhurt in hydroplaning crash on NJ Turnpike

EAST RUTHERFORD (AP) — New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford said he's thankful for being unhurt early Monday after totaling a rented car on the New Jersey Turnpike as he tried to return home for practice from visiting his newborn daughter in California.

Weatherford posted a picture of the mangled car on Instagram after the 3:30 a.m. crash  saying it wrecked as he hit "a massive body of water" going about 65 mph to 70 mph.

"I hydroplane, slam into the median, get blasted in the face by the air bags," said Weatherford, whose face was bruised. "My rental is totaled and I walked out without a scratch."

Less than 2 minutes after he left the car, another car slid out of control in the same spot and hit his rental, Weatherford told WFAN.

"I thought the guy was dead," Weatherford said, adding that he ripped open the back passenger door to try to awaken the unconscious driver. "I'm trying to gently hit this guy's shoulder and trying to wake him up, because a third car could easily come and hit us."

Weatherford called 911, and New Jersey state troopers helped him and drove him 45 miles home to Hoboken.

"Now I'm home shaking like a leaf, trying to pack my bag to go to practice," Weatherford said on Instagram. "I'm so thankful to even be walking right now."

New Jersey State Police said on Facebook: "Two words about Steve: Class act. Also, congratulations! Best of luck with your family's new addition!"

The punter was driving back to New Jersey from Washington because his San Diego-Newark flight was diverted because of thunderstorms. Weatherford said he arrived in Washington too late to take a train or bus back home.

"Not only has God given my family and I a beautiful, healthy 10-pound baby girl," Weatherford said. "He sent his guardian angels to keep my car from flipping and (me from) possibly dying."

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