Victim killed by loose wheel & tire on I-20 West identified
One killed by loose wheel & tire on I-20 West in Richland
FILE
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO) – Richland County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim killed Thursday morning after a loose wheel & tire hit a vehicle.
Coroner Gary Watts says Robert Jones, Jr., 41, died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Troopers say it happened on I-20 West at mile marker 67 around 1 a.m.
According to investigators, a 2006 Toyota Corolla was travelling west while an unknown vehicle’s trailer lost a wheel and tire on the eastbound side.
Authorities say the loose wheel and tire crossed the median and hit the Toyota vehicle, killing Jones, the front-seat passenger.
Officials say the Toyota then crashed into the median barrier while the unknown vehicle continued driving away from the scene.
Troopers say the Toyota driver and two back-seat passengers were all taken to Prisma Health with non-life threatening injuries.
Authorities say everyone in the Toyota was wearing seat belts.
Highway Patrol says the trailer is a small to medium sized utility trailer, boat trailer or box trailer
with drum brakes equipped with ST 205/75R15 tires.
Highway Patrol and Richland County Coroner’s Office are investigating this incident.
If you have any information, please call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
