Traffic was heavily congested on Interstate 95 Tuesday afternoon, after a southbound tractor trailer lost a wheel-and-tire assembly which bounced over the center median cables and slammed into the windshield of a northbound SUV. The driver of the SUV was seriously injured and transported to Wake Med.
The tractor trailer driver drove another 5 miles, unaware of what had happened, before being stopped.
The Four Oaks Fire Department responded and immediately stopped all I-95 northbound traffic.
Witnesses said it appeared that the lug bolts sheared off, allowing the two-piece wheel assembly to become separated from the trailer. The NC Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos by John Payne
