Mar 8, 2008 8:15 am US/Central
Flying Tire From Truck Kills 1 On I-35W
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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A Waste Management truck was involved. Each of truck tires weighs more than 100 pounds, according to the state patrol.
CBS
More is known about a freak accident that killed a Burnsville man on Interstate 35W Friday morning. Two tires from a garbage truck flew off, and one of them hit the victim's truck, killing him.
Jerry Ander, 56, of Burnsville died when a garbage truck traveling in the opposite direction lost two tires, and one crushed part of Ander's truck cab. Ander leaves behind a wife and two children, ages 11 and 14.
At 6:30 a.m., it was a busy rush hour when Jerry Ander was driving to work. Without warning, something that lasted only seconds would make this Ander's last commute.
"A set of tires, 'tandems' we'll call them, came loose from the truck. And one went to the right, and one went left into the northbound lane and unfortunately impacted a pickup truck," said Lt. Mark Peterson, Minnesota State Patrol.
A Waste Management truck was involved. Each of truck tires weighs more than 100 pounds, according to the state patrol.
A witness described what he saw when he spoke with WCCO Radio.
"The back left dual tires, both of 'em, fell off. The truck itself started sliding, sparks flying," said the witness.
The witness wondered if the tires' lug nuts had come loose. Investigators say they will inspect at the truck's mechanics and maintenance records.
A Waste Management spokesperson issued a statement offering condolences to the victim's family. The company said they will cooperate with the investigation.
The accident backed up traffic for hours on 35W. The state patrol expects to interview several witnesses about the tragedy.
"We all stopped, all traffic stopped. And we then saw the other dual tire bounce straight up in the air and over the median, and hit the oncoming traffic," said the witness.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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