Chicago driver killed after flying tire strikes car in freak accident

CHICAGO, IL -- A female driver was killed when a flying tire struck her car on the inbound Bishop Ford Freeway (I-94) just south of 130th Street, Illinois State Police said.

A woman was driving a green 1997 Chevy Blazer southbound on I-94 near Beaubien Woods around 6 a.m. Wednesday when the SUV's tire came off and bounced into the northbound lanes, according to police.

The tire struck a white 2011 Nissan Versa head-on near the Steel Bridge, crushing the windshield and roof.

Emergency crews extricated the driver from the car, state police said. She was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center with serious injuries, where she later died.

The SUV skidded to a stop on the right shoulder of the outbound Bishop Ford. That driver was not injured.

There were no passengers in either vehicle.

The two right lanes of the inbound I-94 were closed for about four hours to conduct an investigation, leading to a major backup during the Wednesday morning commute. All lanes re-opened around 10 a.m. Wednesday.