Katy Freeway flat tire kills motorist: 18-wheeler continues after car passenger dies on I-10 near Blalock

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A passenger has died after the car they were in was struck by a loose 18-wheeler tire on the Katy Freeway, authorities say.

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

An 18-wheeler was traveling east on the Katy Freeway when it lost a tire. The tire bounced into the westbound lanes of the freeway, striking a KIA SUV that was on the Katy Tollway and killing the passenger, authorities said.

A photo from Harris County Precinct 5 shows the windshield of the overturned SUV.

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

Authorities said the driver of the 18-wheeler continued eastbound and did not stop. Investigators question whether the driver even realized what happened.

Deputies said the tire that came loose may have been a spare tire.

The crash caused all westbound lanes of the Katy Freeway to be closed, but has since been cleared.

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