A transport truck ended up in the Highway 403 centre median Monday morning after a loose wheel flew off another vehicle and hit it.
Ontario Provincial Police Const. Conrad Vitalis said officers were called to the crash between Maple Avenue and Bishopgate Road around 8 a.m.
Police are still looking for the vehicle that lost its wheel.
"It’s entirely possible that the wheel came off the trailer of a large tractor trailer and that driver is not aware of it yet," Vitalis said. "Hopefully they figure that out soon because obviously that vehicle’s not safe at this point."
No injuries were reported.
Police said the wheel flew off a vehicle travelling eastbound, striking a truck travelling westbound.
“That driver thankfully, [with] good training, driving skills, kept it upright in the ditch, but did enter the centre median ditch where it had to be towed out,” Vitalis said.
Police are not sure if charges will be laid. They need to locate the vehicle with the missing tire first.
According to Batten’s Truck Centre in Kitchener, loose tires are a common issue that they deal with.
"It’s always been an issue. The problem is now there's a lot more inexperienced drivers coming into the field. Improper circle checks. That is the big problem. Guys just hopping in their trucks in the morning and going," Ryan Batten, President of Batten’s Truck Centre LTD. said.
Hunter Neamtu, the lead hand mechanic at Batten’s Truck Centre, said a wheel falling off is usually the result of a lack of service, improper torqueing or lubing
"After about 15,000 km, you should definitely have your vehicle inspected to ensure that all the torque specs are proper," Neamtu said.
Neamtu said the tires can weigh from 120 up to 180 pounds. If one gets loose, it can reach speeds of 200 kilometres an hour.
"A normal tire goes on at about 110 foot pounds. This tire is held on about 500,” Neamtu said.
Police had to shutdown some eastbound lanes while the truck was towed out. It was left with some damage to its front and one of its tires.
Brant County OPP are asking anyone who may have seen the wheel fly off on the highway to contact them at 1-888-310-1122.
