Owl stuck in front grill of SUV

PLANTATION, Fla. (CNN/WSVN) - An owl had a close call after getting hit by an SUV on the Florida Turnpike.

Sonji Coney Williams was headed south on the turnpike when she spotted the owl and couldn't avoid it.

"I was driving about 60 miles an hour, he never moved, and so, I said 'Oh, my God, I hit a bird,' and I felt so bad but it was very dark and we didn't pull over," said Williams.

Williams assumed the owl became roadkill, but he survived and slipped through the SUV's grill. The owl was discovered the following day while she was running errands.

"There was a family that pulled in front of my parking space and flagged me down and said don't move, don't move, you have something in the grill of your truck. I said, 'Yes, what is it?' And they said, 'It's an owl.' And I said, 'An owl?'" said Williams.

She called Florida Fish and Wildlife and an officer opened the hood and freed the bird.

Officers say the owl appeared to be in good shape and didn't suffer any injuries.