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Driver Mistakenly Follows GPS, Plunges Car Off Unfinished Bridge in Astonishing Incident
In an astonishing turn of events highlighting the potential pitfalls of GPS navigation, a motorist in East Java, Indonesia, experienced a miraculous escape after driving his car off a 40-foot unfinished bridge. The driver, identified as 61-year-old Rudie Heru Komandono, was reportedly using Google Maps for directions when the accident occurred on April 9th. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of driver awareness, even when relying on navigation apps.
Navigation Error Leads to Dramatic Plunge
Rudie Komandono had mounted his smartphone on his BMW 3 Series’ dashboard, trusting Google Maps to guide him to a friend’s residence. While the application correctly identified road closures due to an incomplete highway and attempted to reroute him, the altered directions caused confusion. Instead of adhering to the designated detour via a slip road, Rudie mistakenly drove through an opening in a concrete barrier, proceeding directly towards the unfinished section of the overpass.
Dramatic video footage captured the moment his vehicle accelerated off the edge of the incomplete elevated roadway, plummeting onto the road below. The driver’s reliance on GPS in this instance led to a dangerous misjudgment with near-fatal consequences.
Miraculous Escape and Near Misses on Busy Road
Fortunately, Rudie’s vehicle landed in the lane closest to the median, narrowly avoiding a direct collision with other vehicles. In a stroke of luck, two cars and a motorcycle had just passed through the potential impact zone moments before his sedan came crashing down.
Following the harrowing incident, Rudie claimed, “It was not my fault,” attributing the accident to his attempts to “follow the GPS” on his mobile device.
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Rudie’s car breached the barrier of an incomplete bridge, landing on the roadway below.
He narrowly avoided colliding with two cars and a motorbike on the heavily trafficked road.
Minor Injuries Suffered, Driver Blames GPS Confusion
Emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene to provide care to Rudie and his passenger, 47-year-old Endang Sri Wahyuni. Both occupants remarkably survived the terrifying ordeal, sustaining only minor injuries.
Recounting the incident, Rudie stated, “The road suddenly became dark, and there were no other cars.” He continued, “Then I realised there was a problem when the car started falling and crashed on the ground.”
He further shared his passenger’s reaction, stating, “My friend said she is not getting in the car with me again. But it was not my fault.” Rudie reiterated his reliance on technology, explaining, “I was trying to follow the GPS on my phone, but it was confusing.”
Adding to his concerns, Rudie expressed worries about the vehicle’s condition, stating, “I’m worried about the insurance for the car. I don’t think it can be repaired.”
Police Investigation and Safety Measures
Inspector Aswoko, the head of the Law Enforcement Unit of the Gresik Police Traffic Unit, explained that Rudie had mistakenly entered the restricted area through a gap in the traffic barriers. He clarified that designated exit lanes existed on either side of the elevated expressway, which Rudie should have utilized. Instead, he continued straight, leading him onto the unfinished bridge section of the JI Tol Manyar – Mojokerto road.
Rudie maintained it was not his fault, as he was guided by a map application on his phone.
The car’s headlights are visible moments before Rudie approached the gap, as captured in this image.
Inspector Aswoko commented, “The driver of the car was excessively focused on consulting Google Maps.”
“He failed to notice that he had bypassed the barrier designed to block entry to the incomplete toll road,” Inspector Aswoko added.
“The driver and passenger received medical attention at the hospital and thankfully did not sustain serious injuries. They have been discharged to return home,” he confirmed.
Law enforcement officers have since secured the breach in the barriers and indicated plans to erect warning signs to prevent similar incidents. Inspector Aswoko further stated, “Traffic officers have implemented measures to avert future occurrences.”
He also noted, “The construction firm will be questioned to ascertain why the bridge was not completely sealed off.”
Past Incidents Highlight GPS Navigation Risks
This incident mirrors a tragic event from November of the previous year, where three individuals perished in India after their vehicle’s satellite navigation system directed them off a 30-foot edge of an incomplete bridge.
The victims, identified as Kaushal Kumai, Vivek Kumar, and Amit Kumar, were returning from a wedding near Gurgurgam when they drove off a bridge connecting Faridpur and Dataganj over the Ramganga River.
Local news outlets reported that their bodies were recovered the following day.
Investigators determined that the three men had been driving at high speed, relying on an outdated map on Google Maps.
CCTV footage captured the instant Rudie’s car flew off the unfinished bridge and into oncoming traffic.
The vehicle landed bumper-first in the center of the road. Remarkably, both occupants emerged unharmed.
The mapping service purportedly guided them onto the bridge, which lacked any signage indicating its closure after a collapse in 2022 caused by severe flooding.
Unaware of the bridge’s inaccessibility and travelling at speed, the drivers tragically plunged to their deaths.
Local media sources confirmed that all three men were employed as security personnel.
Their bodies were transported by boat to the nearby city of Faridpur for formal post-mortem examinations.