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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

Loose tire hits and kills driver on 210 Freeway in San Dimas

File photo of the 210 freeway.
File photo of the 210 freeway.
(
Photo by Joseph Stevenson via Flickr Creative Commons
)

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A driver died Thursday after a tire from a pickup truck smashed into his windshield on the 210 Freeway in San Dimas. 

The accident happened around 5:30 a.m. 62-year old David Ballejos of San Bernardino was driving a Toyota Camry on the eastbound side of the freeway when a rear tire came off a Ford Ranger on the westbound side. 

CHP Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said the tire bounced across lanes and over the concrete center divider.

"And that's when the Camry struck that tire as it was coming down," said Jimenez. "The tire bounced off the hood, and through the windshield, and eventually it killed the driver of the Toyota Camry." 

Ballejos sustained major head and face injuries. He died at the scene. 

Six other cars hit the loose tire on the road before it come to a stop. 

"No injuries were reported or claimed from the other six vehicles; it was just property damage," said Jimenez.

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The driver of the Ford Ranger wasn't hurt either. 

Investigators are still trying to find out what caused the tire to come off the pickup truck. 

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