Cranston Teen Injured After Truck Tire Dislodges And Strikes Her

CRANSTON, RI — A 13-year-old girl was hit by a pickup truck's tire that flung off in Cranston on Tuesday afternoon, according to police.

Police said the girl suffered serious injuries, including a concussion, and was admitted into intensive care. But the teen is expected to survive, according to police.

Around 3:30 p.m., a 43-year-old Cranston man was driving his pickup truck on Dyer Avenue, when the driver-side front tire and rim became dislodged from the vehicle. Police said the tire and rim rolled south and struck the girl while she was crossing the road with her two friends near Oxford Street.

Police said the tire and rim struck her head-on with momentum, causing her to fall backward. The pickup continued to travel south after losing the rim and tire until the axle snapped from the force of the pavement and came to rest a short distance away, police said.

Emergency officials then rushed the girl to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence.

"All members of the Cranston Police Department are praying for a speedy recovery for the young girl who was injured this afternoon as she was walking home to school," Colonel Michael Winquist said in a statement. "Thankfully, incidents like these are extremely rare, but when they occur, they can have deadly consequences."

Police said the investigation is ongoing, but alcohol and speed are not suspected factors in the crash. The driver remained at the crash site and cooperated with officers, police said.

The driver told police he bought the truck Monday from a private party. State inspectors will further examine the vehicle to determine what may have caused the tire to dislodge. The driver may face motor vehicle charges once the investigation concludes.