An OAP escaped a terrifying scare after her car was hit by an HGV and pushed for hundreds of yards along a motorway.
Shocking footage filmed by other motorists shows the lorry shunting the car along the busy carriageway without stopping.
A deafening screech could be heard as the smaller vehicle was forced sideways down the tarmac.
READ MORE: Tourist dies in partner’s arms after falling on sailboat abroad
Retired pensioner Maria Auxiliadora de Carvalho was behind the wheel when the crash happened on the President Dutra Highway in São José dos Campos, Brazil, at around 11am yesterday (1 July).
Maria, 83, was driving along the motorway when she needed to change lanes.
She told local media: “There was a lane closure with traffic cones. I indicated to move left, and the lorry driver claimed he didn’t see me.”
Her car collided with the articulated lorry, became wedged against its front and was dragged along the road.
When she realised the truck was not going to stop, she switched off the engine to reduce the risk of a fire and tried to stay calm.
She recalled: “I grabbed my rosary and asked Our Lady to watch over me and protect me. I’m here in one piece, without a single scratch. Thank God.
“The only thing I asked was, ‘God, keep me safe. Guardian angel, protect me. Our Lady, hold my hand.’ That’s all I asked because it just kept dragging me along. When I got out, I was shaking.”
After the crash, Maria photographed the lorry’s number plate to help identify the driver, as reported by Need To Know.
She said the trucker stopped briefly before driving off, leaving before she could photograph the rear registration plate.
A photo taken afterwards shows the side of Maria’s car badly crumpled following the ordeal.
Officers from Brazil’s Federal Highway Police are still searching for the driver.
READ MORE: Woman found floating in lake after vanishing in backpacker destination ‘was victim of violent crime’
