SUV partially crushed by flying tire on Pa. Turnpike's Northeast Extension
WHITPAIN TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- An SUV was heavily damaged after it was hit by a tire that came off another vehicle on the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
The crash happened in the northbound lanes just before 1:30 p.m. Monday in Whitpain Township, Montgomery County.
Video from Chopper 6 showed the dark-colored SUV involved pulled off to the side of the road.
The windshield and part of the roof were caved in by the impact.
Investigators say a pickup truck that was traveling southbound on I-476 in the right lane lost its front driver's side tire, which bounced over the median and struck an SUV that was in the center northbound lane.
A pickup truck with a missing wheel could be seen stopped on the side of the roadway.
Two people were seriously injured in this crash and were flown to the hospital in medical helicopters.
Officials said the tire struck the passenger side window of the SUV, causing serious injury to the front passenger.
The rear passenger was also injured after he struck his head on the seat in front of him.
"We saw fire trucks, we figured it was an accident. But once the helicopters came, it kind of felt like they were going to transport people. So it was like, okay, this is pretty bad," said Lea Agbomson of Connecticut.
She was on her way to Hershey, Pa., when she became stuck in the backlog.
"We can't really go anywhere. Pacing back and forth. Staying in the car to cool down, keeping busy one way or the other," Agbomson said.
The front passenger of the SUV was airlifted to Jefferson Abington Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The rear passenger was airlifted to Temple Hospital with a head injury.
Neither driver was injured.
The Northeast Extension was shut down in both directions between the Plymouth Meeting and Lansdale exits for a few hours after the crash.
Traffic was starting to get by the scene as the evening rush began.
For the latest conditions on area highways, check 6abc.com/Traffic.
