Pittsburgh, PA — One man was killed and two others were injured after a set of tires belonging to a tractor-trailer became dislodged and crashed into two vehicles on Interstate 79 in Allegheny County on Monday, September 8, 2014.
According to local reports, the tires sideswiped a car whose driver was able to avoid them. The accident caused him minor injuries. The tires then bounced across the median and into oncoming traffic, where they hit a car being driven by Scott Rice. Rice was killed on impact. His female passenger was injured and taken to Allegheny General Hospital.
Police believe that the tires — which weigh about 400 pounds — became dislodged from a passing tractor-trailer, but admit that it’s possible they were lying down on a trailer or in the back of the truck. In any case, the vehicle the tires came from have not been found, and authorities are asking anyone with any information to call them at 412-787-2000.
Scene of the Accident
Commentary
This is obviously an incredibly tragic accident, and one in which there would be little doubt as to the liability of whoever was transporting the tires. It is possible that if they came off a truck, as in they became dislodged from the truck itself, then whoever is responsible for the truck’s maintenance would then be held responsible for this. If they came loose from a trailer or something similar, then whoever was responsible for loading them is going to be responsible. In most cases, that would be the trucking company. And rightfully so. By any measure, this is a mistake that shouldn’t have happened.
— Grossman Law Offices
