Driver on 60 Freeway in Pomona killed after tire from truck flies through car's windshield

Driver killed on 60 Freeway in Pomona

A driver was killed after a tire came off a truck and smashed through a sedan's windshield.

POMONA, Calif. - A driver was killed following a freak accident on the 60 Freeway in Pomona early Monday morning. 

What we know:

California Highway Patrol officials said the driver of a 2011 white Lexus ES 350 was killed after a tire of a GMC Sierra came off the truck and flew through the sedan's windshield on the eastbound lanes of the 60 Freeway near the Gary Avenue off-ramp just before 2:30 a.m.

Authorities said the early stages of the investigation reveal that when the Sierra's left rear tire became detached, the tire continued to travel in a southerly direction. It then crossed over the center divider and into the eastbound lanes. The tire then smashed the ES 350's windshield, which caused the victim to lose control of the vehicle. 

The Lexus sedan traveled to the right and crossed all lanes before colliding with a metal guardrail, CHP officials said. 

The driver of the Lexus was pronounced dead at the scene. She was identified as a 57-year-old woman from Moreno Valley. However, officials have withheld her name pending next of kin notification. 

Meanwhile, CHP investigators later identified the driver of the Sierra as 57-year-old Steven Hernandez, a Rosemead resident.

All eastbound lanes were closed by 2:40 a.m. and a SigAlert was issued by 3:15 a.m. All lanes, except for the slow lane, were then reopened by 4 a.m. 

Eventually, all lanes reopened and the investigation is ongoing.

What you can do:

Those with information about this fatal crash are asked to contact Officer J. Wang with the CHP Baldwin Park area office at 626-517-8500.