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Woman ‘lucky to be alive’ after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401 in Toronto

Click to play video: 'Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP'
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP – Mar 30, 2021

The Ontario Provincial Police say a woman is “lucky to be alive” after her vehicle was hit by a flying tire from another passenger vehicle along Highway 401 in Toronto on Tuesday.

“(The tire) looked sky high and it just looked like it was coming down straight for my windshield. And I just had nowhere to go and no time to react. It was just there,” said Lisa, the driver of the vehicle.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt posted a video of the aftermath of the collision showing a badly damaged white Ford Explorer with the windshield completely caved in just slightly towards the passenger side of the vehicle.

“This is a matter of inches and this should not have happened in the first place,” Schmidt said, adding that Lisa escaped with just minor injuries.

Story continues below advertisement
A photo of the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

The collision happened on the westbound express lanes of Highway 401 just past Renforth Drive.

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In the video, Schmidt turns to Lisa for her to give her account of what happened.

“I was just driving down the 401 and in a split second I saw a tire … I saw it bounce extremely high and it was coming down right at my windshield,” Lisa said. “As quickly as I could, took a look to see if there was anywhere that I could go to escape this tire and not cause injury or accident to anyone else.”

“I looked back and thought this is it. I am going to die and this is the end,” Lisa said fighting back tears.

Story continues below advertisement

Schmidt said the vehicle was travelling the opposite direction, going eastbound along the highway. Officers are speaking to the driver of the vehicle whose wheel came off.

Click to play video: 'Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401'
Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401

An investigation is underway to determine exactly how the wheel came off but Schmidt said it could possibly be due to a winter-to-summer tire swap.

“One of the issues we’re going to be finding out is whether or not that wheel was recently installed,” Schmidt said.

“We see a spike in wheel separations in these seasons,” Schmidt said. “The fall season and the summer season as drivers are switching from their summer tires to their winter tires and winter tires back to their summer’s.”

“Lisa is lucky to be alive today,” Schmidt said.

Story continues below advertisement
Inside the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

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Woman ‘lucky to be alive’ after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401 in Toronto

Click to play video: 'Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP'
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP – Mar 30, 2021

The Ontario Provincial Police say a woman is “lucky to be alive” after her vehicle was hit by a flying tire from another passenger vehicle along Highway 401 in Toronto on Tuesday.

Story continues below advertisement

“(The tire) looked sky high and it just looked like it was coming down straight for my windshield. And I just had nowhere to go and no time to react. It was just there,” said Lisa, the driver of the vehicle.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt posted a video of the aftermath of the collision showing a badly damaged white Ford Explorer with the windshield completely caved in just slightly towards the passenger side of the vehicle.

“This is a matter of inches and this should not have happened in the first place,” Schmidt said, adding that Lisa escaped with just minor injuries.

A photo of the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

The collision happened on the westbound express lanes of Highway 401 just past Renforth Drive.

Story continues below advertisement

In the video, Schmidt turns to Lisa for her to give her account of what happened.

“I was just driving down the 401 and in a split second I saw a tire … I saw it bounce extremely high and it was coming down right at my windshield,” Lisa said. “As quickly as I could, took a look to see if there was anywhere that I could go to escape this tire and not cause injury or accident to anyone else.”

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For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

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“I looked back and thought this is it. I am going to die and this is the end,” Lisa said fighting back tears.

Schmidt said the vehicle was travelling the opposite direction, going eastbound along the highway. Officers are speaking to the driver of the vehicle whose wheel came off.

Click to play video: 'Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401'
Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401

An investigation is underway to determine exactly how the wheel came off but Schmidt said it could possibly be due to a winter-to-summer tire swap.

Story continues below advertisement

“One of the issues we’re going to be finding out is whether or not that wheel was recently installed,” Schmidt said.

“We see a spike in wheel separations in these seasons,” Schmidt said. “The fall season and the summer season as drivers are switching from their summer tires to their winter tires and winter tires back to their summer’s.”

“Lisa is lucky to be alive today,” Schmidt said.

Inside the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

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Woman ‘lucky to be alive’ after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401 in Toronto

Click to play video: 'Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP'
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP – Mar 30, 2021

The Ontario Provincial Police say a woman is “lucky to be alive” after her vehicle was hit by a flying tire from another passenger vehicle along Highway 401 in Toronto on Tuesday.

“(The tire) looked sky high and it just looked like it was coming down straight for my windshield. And I just had nowhere to go and no time to react. It was just there,” said Lisa, the driver of the vehicle.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt posted a video of the aftermath of the collision showing a badly damaged white Ford Explorer with the windshield completely caved in just slightly towards the passenger side of the vehicle.

“This is a matter of inches and this should not have happened in the first place,” Schmidt said, adding that Lisa escaped with just minor injuries.

A photo of the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

The collision happened on the westbound express lanes of Highway 401 just past Renforth Drive.

Story continues below advertisement

In the video, Schmidt turns to Lisa for her to give her account of what happened.

“I was just driving down the 401 and in a split second I saw a tire … I saw it bounce extremely high and it was coming down right at my windshield,” Lisa said. “As quickly as I could, took a look to see if there was anywhere that I could go to escape this tire and not cause injury or accident to anyone else.”

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

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“I looked back and thought this is it. I am going to die and this is the end,” Lisa said fighting back tears.

Schmidt said the vehicle was travelling the opposite direction, going eastbound along the highway. Officers are speaking to the driver of the vehicle whose wheel came off.

Click to play video: 'Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401'
Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401

An investigation is underway to determine exactly how the wheel came off but Schmidt said it could possibly be due to a winter-to-summer tire swap.

Story continues below advertisement

“One of the issues we’re going to be finding out is whether or not that wheel was recently installed,” Schmidt said.

“We see a spike in wheel separations in these seasons,” Schmidt said. “The fall season and the summer season as drivers are switching from their summer tires to their winter tires and winter tires back to their summer’s.”

“Lisa is lucky to be alive today,” Schmidt said.

Inside the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

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Woman ‘lucky to be alive’ after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401 in Toronto

Click to play video: 'Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP'
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP – Mar 30, 2021

The Ontario Provincial Police say a woman is “lucky to be alive” after her vehicle was hit by a flying tire from another passenger vehicle along Highway 401 in Toronto on Tuesday.

“(The tire) looked sky high and it just looked like it was coming down straight for my windshield. And I just had nowhere to go and no time to react. It was just there,” said Lisa, the driver of the vehicle.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt posted a video of the aftermath of the collision showing a badly damaged white Ford Explorer with the windshield completely caved in just slightly towards the passenger side of the vehicle.

“This is a matter of inches and this should not have happened in the first place,” Schmidt said, adding that Lisa escaped with just minor injuries.

A photo of the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

The collision happened on the westbound express lanes of Highway 401 just past Renforth Drive.

Story continues below advertisement

In the video, Schmidt turns to Lisa for her to give her account of what happened.

“I was just driving down the 401 and in a split second I saw a tire … I saw it bounce extremely high and it was coming down right at my windshield,” Lisa said. “As quickly as I could, took a look to see if there was anywhere that I could go to escape this tire and not cause injury or accident to anyone else.”

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

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By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“I looked back and thought this is it. I am going to die and this is the end,” Lisa said fighting back tears.

Schmidt said the vehicle was travelling the opposite direction, going eastbound along the highway. Officers are speaking to the driver of the vehicle whose wheel came off.

Click to play video: 'Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401'
Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401

An investigation is underway to determine exactly how the wheel came off but Schmidt said it could possibly be due to a winter-to-summer tire swap.

Story continues below advertisement

“One of the issues we’re going to be finding out is whether or not that wheel was recently installed,” Schmidt said.

“We see a spike in wheel separations in these seasons,” Schmidt said. “The fall season and the summer season as drivers are switching from their summer tires to their winter tires and winter tires back to their summer’s.”

“Lisa is lucky to be alive today,” Schmidt said.

Inside the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

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Woman ‘lucky to be alive’ after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401 in Toronto

Click to play video: 'Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP'
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP – Mar 30, 2021

The Ontario Provincial Police say a woman is “lucky to be alive” after her vehicle was hit by a flying tire from another passenger vehicle along Highway 401 in Toronto on Tuesday.

“(The tire) looked sky high and it just looked like it was coming down straight for my windshield. And I just had nowhere to go and no time to react. It was just there,” said Lisa, the driver of the vehicle.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt posted a video of the aftermath of the collision showing a badly damaged white Ford Explorer with the windshield completely caved in just slightly towards the passenger side of the vehicle.

“This is a matter of inches and this should not have happened in the first place,” Schmidt said, adding that Lisa escaped with just minor injuries.

A photo of the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

The collision happened on the westbound express lanes of Highway 401 just past Renforth Drive.

Story continues below advertisement

In the video, Schmidt turns to Lisa for her to give her account of what happened.

“I was just driving down the 401 and in a split second I saw a tire … I saw it bounce extremely high and it was coming down right at my windshield,” Lisa said. “As quickly as I could, took a look to see if there was anywhere that I could go to escape this tire and not cause injury or accident to anyone else.”

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“I looked back and thought this is it. I am going to die and this is the end,” Lisa said fighting back tears.

Schmidt said the vehicle was travelling the opposite direction, going eastbound along the highway. Officers are speaking to the driver of the vehicle whose wheel came off.

Click to play video: 'Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401'
Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401

An investigation is underway to determine exactly how the wheel came off but Schmidt said it could possibly be due to a winter-to-summer tire swap.

Story continues below advertisement

“One of the issues we’re going to be finding out is whether or not that wheel was recently installed,” Schmidt said.

“We see a spike in wheel separations in these seasons,” Schmidt said. “The fall season and the summer season as drivers are switching from their summer tires to their winter tires and winter tires back to their summer’s.”

“Lisa is lucky to be alive today,” Schmidt said.

Inside the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

Advertisement

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Woman ‘lucky to be alive’ after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401 in Toronto

Click to play video: 'Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP'
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP – Mar 30, 2021

The Ontario Provincial Police say a woman is “lucky to be alive” after her vehicle was hit by a flying tire from another passenger vehicle along Highway 401 in Toronto on Tuesday.

“(The tire) looked sky high and it just looked like it was coming down straight for my windshield. And I just had nowhere to go and no time to react. It was just there,” said Lisa, the driver of the vehicle.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt posted a video of the aftermath of the collision showing a badly damaged white Ford Explorer with the windshield completely caved in just slightly towards the passenger side of the vehicle.

“This is a matter of inches and this should not have happened in the first place,” Schmidt said, adding that Lisa escaped with just minor injuries.

A photo of the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

The collision happened on the westbound express lanes of Highway 401 just past Renforth Drive.

Story continues below advertisement

In the video, Schmidt turns to Lisa for her to give her account of what happened.

“I was just driving down the 401 and in a split second I saw a tire … I saw it bounce extremely high and it was coming down right at my windshield,” Lisa said. “As quickly as I could, took a look to see if there was anywhere that I could go to escape this tire and not cause injury or accident to anyone else.”

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“I looked back and thought this is it. I am going to die and this is the end,” Lisa said fighting back tears.

Schmidt said the vehicle was travelling the opposite direction, going eastbound along the highway. Officers are speaking to the driver of the vehicle whose wheel came off.

Click to play video: 'Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401'
Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401

An investigation is underway to determine exactly how the wheel came off but Schmidt said it could possibly be due to a winter-to-summer tire swap.

Story continues below advertisement

“One of the issues we’re going to be finding out is whether or not that wheel was recently installed,” Schmidt said.

“We see a spike in wheel separations in these seasons,” Schmidt said. “The fall season and the summer season as drivers are switching from their summer tires to their winter tires and winter tires back to their summer’s.”

“Lisa is lucky to be alive today,” Schmidt said.

Inside the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

Advertisement

Sponsored content

Woman ‘lucky to be alive’ after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401 in Toronto

Click to play video: 'Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP'
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP – Mar 30, 2021

The Ontario Provincial Police say a woman is “lucky to be alive” after her vehicle was hit by a flying tire from another passenger vehicle along Highway 401 in Toronto on Tuesday.

“(The tire) looked sky high and it just looked like it was coming down straight for my windshield. And I just had nowhere to go and no time to react. It was just there,” said Lisa, the driver of the vehicle.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt posted a video of the aftermath of the collision showing a badly damaged white Ford Explorer with the windshield completely caved in just slightly towards the passenger side of the vehicle.

“This is a matter of inches and this should not have happened in the first place,” Schmidt said, adding that Lisa escaped with just minor injuries.

A photo of the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

The collision happened on the westbound express lanes of Highway 401 just past Renforth Drive.

Story continues below advertisement

In the video, Schmidt turns to Lisa for her to give her account of what happened.

“I was just driving down the 401 and in a split second I saw a tire … I saw it bounce extremely high and it was coming down right at my windshield,” Lisa said. “As quickly as I could, took a look to see if there was anywhere that I could go to escape this tire and not cause injury or accident to anyone else.”

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“I looked back and thought this is it. I am going to die and this is the end,” Lisa said fighting back tears.

Schmidt said the vehicle was travelling the opposite direction, going eastbound along the highway. Officers are speaking to the driver of the vehicle whose wheel came off.

Click to play video: 'Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401'
Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401

An investigation is underway to determine exactly how the wheel came off but Schmidt said it could possibly be due to a winter-to-summer tire swap.

Story continues below advertisement

“One of the issues we’re going to be finding out is whether or not that wheel was recently installed,” Schmidt said.

“We see a spike in wheel separations in these seasons,” Schmidt said. “The fall season and the summer season as drivers are switching from their summer tires to their winter tires and winter tires back to their summer’s.”

“Lisa is lucky to be alive today,” Schmidt said.

Inside the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

Advertisement

Sponsored content

Woman ‘lucky to be alive’ after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401 in Toronto

Click to play video: 'Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP'
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP – Mar 30, 2021

The Ontario Provincial Police say a woman is “lucky to be alive” after her vehicle was hit by a flying tire from another passenger vehicle along Highway 401 in Toronto on Tuesday.

“(The tire) looked sky high and it just looked like it was coming down straight for my windshield. And I just had nowhere to go and no time to react. It was just there,” said Lisa, the driver of the vehicle.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt posted a video of the aftermath of the collision showing a badly damaged white Ford Explorer with the windshield completely caved in just slightly towards the passenger side of the vehicle.

“This is a matter of inches and this should not have happened in the first place,” Schmidt said, adding that Lisa escaped with just minor injuries.

A photo of the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

The collision happened on the westbound express lanes of Highway 401 just past Renforth Drive.

Story continues below advertisement

In the video, Schmidt turns to Lisa for her to give her account of what happened.

“I was just driving down the 401 and in a split second I saw a tire … I saw it bounce extremely high and it was coming down right at my windshield,” Lisa said. “As quickly as I could, took a look to see if there was anywhere that I could go to escape this tire and not cause injury or accident to anyone else.”

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“I looked back and thought this is it. I am going to die and this is the end,” Lisa said fighting back tears.

Schmidt said the vehicle was travelling the opposite direction, going eastbound along the highway. Officers are speaking to the driver of the vehicle whose wheel came off.

Click to play video: 'Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401'
Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401

An investigation is underway to determine exactly how the wheel came off but Schmidt said it could possibly be due to a winter-to-summer tire swap.

Story continues below advertisement

“One of the issues we’re going to be finding out is whether or not that wheel was recently installed,” Schmidt said.

“We see a spike in wheel separations in these seasons,” Schmidt said. “The fall season and the summer season as drivers are switching from their summer tires to their winter tires and winter tires back to their summer’s.”

“Lisa is lucky to be alive today,” Schmidt said.

Inside the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

Advertisement

Sponsored content

Woman ‘lucky to be alive’ after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401 in Toronto

Click to play video: 'Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP'
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP – Mar 30, 2021

The Ontario Provincial Police say a woman is “lucky to be alive” after her vehicle was hit by a flying tire from another passenger vehicle along Highway 401 in Toronto on Tuesday.

“(The tire) looked sky high and it just looked like it was coming down straight for my windshield. And I just had nowhere to go and no time to react. It was just there,” said Lisa, the driver of the vehicle.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt posted a video of the aftermath of the collision showing a badly damaged white Ford Explorer with the windshield completely caved in just slightly towards the passenger side of the vehicle.

“This is a matter of inches and this should not have happened in the first place,” Schmidt said, adding that Lisa escaped with just minor injuries.

A photo of the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

The collision happened on the westbound express lanes of Highway 401 just past Renforth Drive.

Story continues below advertisement

In the video, Schmidt turns to Lisa for her to give her account of what happened.

“I was just driving down the 401 and in a split second I saw a tire … I saw it bounce extremely high and it was coming down right at my windshield,” Lisa said. “As quickly as I could, took a look to see if there was anywhere that I could go to escape this tire and not cause injury or accident to anyone else.”

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“I looked back and thought this is it. I am going to die and this is the end,” Lisa said fighting back tears.

Schmidt said the vehicle was travelling the opposite direction, going eastbound along the highway. Officers are speaking to the driver of the vehicle whose wheel came off.

Click to play video: 'Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401'
Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401

An investigation is underway to determine exactly how the wheel came off but Schmidt said it could possibly be due to a winter-to-summer tire swap.

Story continues below advertisement

“One of the issues we’re going to be finding out is whether or not that wheel was recently installed,” Schmidt said.

“We see a spike in wheel separations in these seasons,” Schmidt said. “The fall season and the summer season as drivers are switching from their summer tires to their winter tires and winter tires back to their summer’s.”

“Lisa is lucky to be alive today,” Schmidt said.

Inside the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

Advertisement

Sponsored content

Woman ‘lucky to be alive’ after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401 in Toronto

Click to play video: 'Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP'
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP
Driver lucky to be alive after loose tire crashes through windshield on Hwy. 401: OPP – Mar 30, 2021

The Ontario Provincial Police say a woman is “lucky to be alive” after her vehicle was hit by a flying tire from another passenger vehicle along Highway 401 in Toronto on Tuesday.

“(The tire) looked sky high and it just looked like it was coming down straight for my windshield. And I just had nowhere to go and no time to react. It was just there,” said Lisa, the driver of the vehicle.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt posted a video of the aftermath of the collision showing a badly damaged white Ford Explorer with the windshield completely caved in just slightly towards the passenger side of the vehicle.

“This is a matter of inches and this should not have happened in the first place,” Schmidt said, adding that Lisa escaped with just minor injuries.

A photo of the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

The collision happened on the westbound express lanes of Highway 401 just past Renforth Drive.

Story continues below advertisement

In the video, Schmidt turns to Lisa for her to give her account of what happened.

“I was just driving down the 401 and in a split second I saw a tire … I saw it bounce extremely high and it was coming down right at my windshield,” Lisa said. “As quickly as I could, took a look to see if there was anywhere that I could go to escape this tire and not cause injury or accident to anyone else.”

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“I looked back and thought this is it. I am going to die and this is the end,” Lisa said fighting back tears.

Schmidt said the vehicle was travelling the opposite direction, going eastbound along the highway. Officers are speaking to the driver of the vehicle whose wheel came off.

Click to play video: 'Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401'
Woman thankful to be alive after vehicle hit by flying tire on Highway 401

An investigation is underway to determine exactly how the wheel came off but Schmidt said it could possibly be due to a winter-to-summer tire swap.

Story continues below advertisement

“One of the issues we’re going to be finding out is whether or not that wheel was recently installed,” Schmidt said.

“We see a spike in wheel separations in these seasons,” Schmidt said. “The fall season and the summer season as drivers are switching from their summer tires to their winter tires and winter tires back to their summer’s.”

“Lisa is lucky to be alive today,” Schmidt said.

Inside the vehicle that was damaged after being struck by a flying fire along Highway 401 in Toronto. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt / Ontario Provincial Police

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