Car passenger killed when large truck's tire flies across Katy Freeway, authorities say

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A passenger is dead after the car they were in was hit by a large truck's loose tire on the Katy Freeway, according to authorities.

The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. Thursday along the westbound lanes of the Katy Freeway near Blalock.

The large truck was traveling eastbound on the Katy Freeway when it lost a tire. The tire bounced onto the westbound lanes of the freeway, hitting a Kia SUV that was on the Katy Tollway, and killing the passenger, authorities said.

A photo from Harris County Precinct 5 shows the SUV's windshield demolished.

As a result, the driver of the car veered across all six lanes and hit the outside wall. The driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities said the driver of the large truck continued driving eastbound and did not stop. Investigators are questioning if the driver even realized what happened.

Deputies said it's possible the tire that came loose may have been a spare.

The crash resulted in all westbound lanes of the Katy Freeway being closed, but it has since cleared.

Note: ABC13 received initial information from authorities saying an 18-wheeler was involved in the crash, but officials have now said they believe it was a large truck.

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