Wind turbine knocks over billboard, crushes car

A wind turbine collapsed and knocked down a billboard, which in turn crushed a car in New York City on Monday.

A monopole wind turbine crumbled on Monday, causing a billboard to fall onto a parking lot in the Bronx at about 1:45 p.m., ABC’s local affiliate reported. Witnesses told the news outlet that the blades of the turbine, which was installed in mid-December, were spinning out of control before it fell. The turbine was not activated yet.

Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) posted that the city’s Department of Buildings was at the scene in the Bronx with first responders. The mayor said there were no injuries and the incident is under investigation.

A Department of Buildings spokesperson told The Hill that the preliminary inspection found the structure “became unstable” leading to a partial collapse, which knocked over a sign.

The department issued the commercial property owner violations for not maintaining the structure or sign and an order to vacate for the building, the spokesperson said. An emergency order was issued to have the owner hire an engineer to remove the fallen sign.

The spokesperson added that the investigation is ongoing, and the department will remain on scene to oversee the cleanup.

The mayor also asked people to avoid the area as first responders continue to work. 

If you’re in the area please avoid Bartow Avenue between Asch Loop and Grace Avenue as well as Baychester Avenue between Bartow and Aldrich Street as first responders finish their work.

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 30, 2019

State Assemblyman Michael Benedetto and state Sen. Jamaal Bailey held an impromptu press conference at the site of the incident, according to the Co-op City Times. Benedetto called on the Department of Buildings to come and inspect the turbines to “make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.”  

“A wind turbine should not be able to be taken down by the wind,” Bailey said. 

BREAKING: New York State Assemblyman @mikebenedetto82 and state Sen. @jamaaltbailey address the media at the site of the 500 Baychester Ave. wind turbine and sign collapse.

Bailey: “A wind turbine should not be able to be taken down by the wind.” pic.twitter.com/5ZCeea2l9a

— Co-op City Times (@coopcitytimes) December 30, 2019