US: University student dies after loose truck tyre smashes through windscreen on highway

An 18-year-old university student was killed in Kentucky, United States, after a tyre broke loose from a passing truck and smashed through her windscreen, US media reports have confirmed.

Lauren Collins was driving south on Interstate 75 near Richwood, Kentucky, when a tyre came loose from a truck on the southbound side of the road, as per a statement from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.

As per the statement shared by the Sheriff’s Office on Facebook, “Lauren A. Collins… was operating a white, 2012 Buick LaCrosse in the southbound lanes of I-75 when her windshield was suddenly struck by a tyre.

“Deputies believe that another vehicle, possibly a dually pickup truck, was travelling northbound on 1-75 when its tyre suddenly broke away causing it to roll out of control and over the concrete barrier, where it ultimately struck Collins’ vehicle.”

US teen ‘extricated’ from vehicle, passes away from injuries

Collins, the only occupant of the car, was ‘extricated’ by the Walton Fire Department, and was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, where she succumbed to her injuries.

“The Walton Fire Department extricated Collins and transported her to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Tragically, Collins passed away from her injuries at the hospital. Next of kin was notified,” the Sheriff’s Office statement said.

Amy Marsh, the deceased’s mother, told People Magazine, “Certainly we want to know who the driver is and I know in talking to the sheriff yesterday that they had not had any luck – not that that’s going to bring her back.

“Maybe the driver was unaware that their tire was loose, I don’t know. It’s just hard to wrap your brain around.”