Wheels fly off vehicles on Hwy. 417 twice in 3 days, say OPP

Provincial police are warning drivers to make sure their wheels are installed properly after two separate incidents on Highway 417, including one where a tire jumped the median and struck an oncoming car.

OPP in Ottawa said on Sunday afternoon at about 3:21 p.m. a sports utility vehicle was travelling east on the highway just east of the Pinecrest interchange when its left front wheel separated from the vehicle.

The wheel bounced over the centre median and struck a sedan travelling west.

Both driver and passenger of the sedan were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The driver of the SUV was in the process of pulling over when the wheel detached. Police said no charges were laid.

Cube van loses both back wheels

Earlier on Friday a cube van lost both rear wheels while travelling east on Highway 417 while in the construction zone near the Pinecrest overpass, police said.

There were no injuries or collisions, police said. But Ottawa-area company G&K Services was charged with wheel separation under the Highway Traffic Act.

Police are reminding drivers changing their tires from winter to all-season or summer tires to inspect their wheels, wheel fasteners and tires after having new tires or wheels installed, and to recheck the fasteners between 80 km and 160 km after installation.