In what may be a new contender for the most bizarre incident at a retail store, a massive 2-ton red sphere commonly found outside Target stores broke loose and wreaked havoc in a Paramus, New Jersey parking lot. This startling event unfolded after a truck collided with the enormous decoration, sending it rolling into traffic. Surveillance footage captured the entire chaotic scene, which could easily rival any action movie.
As the rogue ball barreled through the parking lot, it caused over $3,500 in damages. A witness, Laura Jensen, recalled, “Suddenly, I heard a thunderous crash followed by a loud bang.” That loud bang turned out to be the hefty sphere colliding with her Honda CR-V, resulting in damage that included a nail being ejected from the ball and puncturing one of her tires.
A local hero, along with his dog, intervened by jumping out of his vehicle to stop the rampaging ball. The footage shows him and two other men managing to roll it back to its original spot, but not before a store employee casually placed a traffic cone nearby—because that would surely deter a 2-ton projectile from re-entering the fray. Just moments later, a child climbed atop the unsecured sphere, adding to the absurdity of the situation.
Laura is now in a battle with Target over the damages to her car. After she filed a claim, it was denied, and the police were unable to identify the truck that struck the ball. After reviewing the footage, Laura suspects the truck driver may not have even realized they had caused such chaos. She’s now preparing to take her case to small claims court, armed with video evidence that clearly shows the truck making contact with the ball.
As a physician, I often observe how we inadvertently put our children in potentially unsafe situations. Those large, inviting spheres outside retail stores have always beckoned my kids, making them an essential stop on our shopping trips. However, after witnessing the potential for such a “boulder” to cause devastation, I might reconsider allowing my children to climb on these intimidating objects. After all, if I had to pay for damages like Laura, that’s money I could have spent on valuable resources like the excellent guide to pregnancy found at NICHD.
In light of this incident, it’s essential to remember the risks associated with seemingly harmless activities. For those considering home insemination, I recommend checking out Make a Mom for a reliable at-home insemination kit, as well as Intracervical Insemination for more insights on the process.
In summary, the unexpected events at Target highlight the unpredictability of everyday life and remind us to be vigilant, especially when it comes to the safety of our children in public spaces.