NUFORC Sighting 37016

Occurred: 1988-09-20 22:50 Local - Approximate
Reported: 2004-05-17 20:59 Pacific
Duration: 15-20minutes
No of observers: 2

Location: Mansfield (outside of), OH, USA

Shape: Orb
Characteristics: Lights on object, Aura or haze around object

Ball of light enters van, in Richland county,Ohio

I am a retired decorate Police Sergeant, I hold an Associate, Bachelor of Science and Masters Degrees in Criminal Justice Administration. During September of 1988, my ex-wife and I were driving from a police training school.I was driving my Ford Econoline conversion van E/B on State route 30 just outside of Mansfield,Ohio. The event occurred as follows.

I was driving and my ex-wife asked me the time. I looked at the clock in the dash and told her.The time was about 15 - 10 minutes till 11 PM.At that moment there was a brilliant, white light flash. It was so bright that it filled the entire windshield.I yelled "What the hell was that?!!" My ex-wife immediately started screaming. I looked at her and saw what appeared to be a blue/white ball of light floating in midair between the dash and her seat. The ball of light silently went to the right, and it disolved through the door panel. We were both stunned!! It reappeared in an instant and resummed its same position. As the ex-wife screamed the ball of light reacted to her screams.The ball of light rapidly moved back and forth, as if it were on a track.I stared at the ball of light and saw that it was actually comprised of a large grapefruit size sphere of light. This sphere was orbited at its equator by at least (6) six smaller balls of light. This ball of light, did as the first sphere did, it moved to and through the closed door panel on the passenger's side of the van. This whole event took a matter of seconds to occur, yet, between 15 and 330,30 minutes had passed!1 I NEVER STOPPED DRIVING THE VAN!!! I NEVER PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. I have no explanation of what this was or what occured during the "missing time." I can only report what occurred. My ex-wife did a drawing of the balls of light when we got back to her apartment in Canton. I have not seen her for a number of years, I don't know where she is or whatever happened to the drawing.

NUFORC Note:

Date is approximate. PD

Posted 2004-06-04