A 53-year-old American driver was killed Tuesday morning after a loose wheel struck their SUV on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) in St. Catharines.
The incident occurred just before noon in the Toronto-bound lanes near Niagara Street. According to Ontario Provincial Police, the front wheel of a pickup truck traveling toward Niagara Falls detached and crossed the highway median, hitting an SUV carrying two American citizens.
The driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 52-year-old passenger was treated in hospital for minor injuries.
The driver of the pickup, a 33-year-old from Niagara Falls, N.Y., was arrested and charged with operating an unsafe vehicle and driving with a detached part.
The crash led to a full closure of the QEW in both directions for several hours. Westbound lanes reopened at 6:15 p.m., followed by eastbound lanes at 6:45 p.m.
Police are urging witnesses to come forward and are reminding drivers to ensure all vehicle components are secure after any maintenance work.