WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Two people were seriously hurt Monday afternoon when a flying tire smashed into an SUV on the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, caving in its windshield and roof.
The crash occurred in the northbound lanes around 1:30 p.m. near Whitpain Township in Montgomery County. Video from Chopper 6 showed a dark-colored SUV pulled to the side of the highway with severe front-end damage.
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Initial reports indicate the tire came off a truck traveling in the opposite direction. A pickup truck missing a wheel was stopped in the southbound lanes.
Both victims were flown by medical helicopter to a hospital for treatment.
“We saw fire trucks; we figured it was an accident. But once the helicopters came, it kind of felt like they were going to transport people. So it was like, okay, this is pretty bad,” said Lea Agbomson of Connecticut, who was on her way to Hershey when she became stuck in the resulting traffic jam.
The Turnpike’s Northeast Extension was shut down in both directions between the Plymouth Meeting and Lansdale exits for several hours. Traffic began moving again as the evening rush hour started.
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