HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A man died and a child was injured Thursday when two wheels came off an 18-wheeler on the North Freeway.
According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the 18-wheeler was southbound on I-45 near Louetta when two tires on the left-side middle axel came off the big rig and rolled uncontrollably.
Gonzalez said one of the wheels bounced over the center wall divider of the freeway and entered the northbound lanes. The wheel struck a vehicle's hood and windshield and sheared the roof off the vehicle. The driver died at the scene. A child, who was in the backseat, suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene before being released to family members.
The other tire veered onto the feeder road of the northbound lanes and struck another vehicle, causing minor damage. The driver of this vehicle was not injured.
Gonzalez said the investigation is ongoing.
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