COLUMBUS -- Ten years after a Columbus pastor was almost killed after a teenager threw a rock over an overpass, the pranks are still happening. In the last few weeks, there have been several instances in Dayton, especially around Interstate 75 and US 35 near the Steve Whalen exit.
We sat down with Reverend Johannes Christian on Thursday. He was nearly killed more than ten years ago when he was driving through Springfield on his way back home to Columbus when 15-year-old Jacob McNary threw a rock from the I-70 overpass. The rock was nearly the size of an eight pound bowling bit, it crashed through the windshield, hitting Christian in the face.
Today, he is legally blind, "both of these are prosthesis, I have no eyes."
After more than 30 surgeries Reverend Christian says it was his faith through brought him to forgiveness.
"God didn't cause the accident, it was caused by human thought, by a persons action," said Christian.
Hearing these actions are still happening the Reverend wanted to share the pain he went through and maybe send a message so, no one else is hurt.
"The more we can talk about the kind of devastation that comes from pranks, it might steer someone in the right direction," said Christian.
McNary just finished a 12 year prison sentence and was released this past October.
Reverend Christian has written a book called 'The Face of Forgiveness.'
You can find a link to his book and his story here.
It's because of Christian's story that Ohio passed legislation increasing the punishment for those who throw rocks over interstates. Parents can also be prosecuted if the suspect is a juvenile.
High fences have also been built on many overpasses in the state preventing rocks from being thrown.
We sat down with Reverend Johannes Christian on Thursday. He was nearly killed more than ten years ago when he was driving through Springfield on his way back home to Columbus when 15-year-old Jacob McNary threw a rock from the I-70 overpass. The rock was nearly the size of an eight pound bowling bit, it crashed through the windshield, hitting Christian in the face.
Today, he is legally blind, "both of these are prosthesis, I have no eyes."
After more than 30 surgeries Reverend Christian says it was his faith through brought him to forgiveness.
"God didn't cause the accident, it was caused by human thought, by a persons action," said Christian.
Hearing these actions are still happening the Reverend wanted to share the pain he went through and maybe send a message so, no one else is hurt.
"The more we can talk about the kind of devastation that comes from pranks, it might steer someone in the right direction," said Christian.
McNary just finished a 12 year prison sentence and was released this past October.
Reverend Christian has written a book called 'The Face of Forgiveness.'
You can find a link to his book and his story here.
It's because of Christian's story that Ohio passed legislation increasing the punishment for those who throw rocks over interstates. Parents can also be prosecuted if the suspect is a juvenile.
High fences have also been built on many overpasses in the state preventing rocks from being thrown.