Driver Charged In Vernon Bouncing Tire Accident

VERNON, CT — The driver of a commercial vehicle involved in a bouncing tire incident on Route 83 in Vernon is accused of negligence with his trailer and even lying to authorities about his involvement, a warrant shows.

Thomas Fraser, 31, who has a Florida Driver's license; an Agawam, MA, address; and who had frequently stayed at a Vernon apartment complex, was charged Monday with failure to secure a (trailer) load, providing a flase statement and interfering with police, records show.

The incident took place at about 9 p.m. on May 20, along the 700 block of Route 83 in Vernon, according to a warrant. A Subaru was heading south on Route 83 near the Scranton Motors curve, when a bouncing tire slammed into its front end, smashing the hood and windshield and causing the airbags to deploy, according to a warrant.

Several other motorists had pulled over to assist the two passengers, who escaped serious injury, police said.

A witness told police she was behind a truck pulling a trailer on the northbound side of Route 83 when she saw a tire fly off the tailer, miss her car and bound onto the southbound side before hitting the Subaru. a warrant states.

The woman followed the truck to the nearby Parkwest apartment complex and confronted the driver, later identified as Fraser, a warrant states. His reaction was first "my tire fell out?" and then "oh man ..." before climbing back into the truck, according to a warrant.

He never returned to the scene, according to a warrant.

Through the woman's description and the company that owned the truck, police determined that Fraser was the driver, records show. The company said the trailer did not have a spare tire earlier in the day and Fraser was instructed to get one and secure it on the trailer, according to a warrant.

Fraser hid from police and did not show up for questioning appointments during the investigation and eventually lied to police when he did file a statement, according to a warrant.

He eventually admitted to giving a false statement, according to a warrant.