1 killed after tires flew off 18-wheeler, ‘rolled uncontrollably’ on Texas highway, HCSO says

Victim’s 11-year-old son was injured, taken to hospital

NORTH FREEWAY CRASH (Copyright 2022 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

HOUSTON – A man was killed and his 11-year-old child was injured after their vehicle was hit by tires that flew off an 18-wheeler, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

HCSO Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the incident happened as the big rig was traveling southbound on Interstate 45 near Conroe after 3 p.m. Thursday.

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Two tires on the left side of the big rig’s middle tandem axle came off the truck and “rolled uncontrollably,” Gonzalez said.

One tire veered toward the median, bounced over a center wall and entered the northbound lanes of the highway. It then struck a vehicle in the windshield, Gonzalez said.

The tire struck the driver, 32-year-old Simon Lee, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

His son was in the backseat and suffered minor injuries, Gonzales said.

Family members told KPRC, KSAT’s sister station in Houston, that the boy is in the hospital.

The other tire veered off to an access road, where it hit a car and caused minor damage. The driver of that car was not injured.

KPRC reported that the driver of the big rig stopped down the road and remained on the scene.

No charges have been filed but Gonzalez said authorities will review the truck’s maintenance history.

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About the Author:

Rebecca Salinas is an award-winning digital journalist who joined KSAT in 2019. She reports on a variety of topics for KSAT 12 News.