Lexington, MA : Charles Hu, 26, dead after tire strikes vehicle on Route 128 on Tuesday afternoon, January 26, 2016

Massachusetts State Police continue to investigate a fatal crash that occurred Tuesday afternoon on Route 128 in Lexington after a truck’s tire came off its axle and struck another vehicle.

State Police spokesman David Procopio told Boston.com that a tire came loose from a Dodge pickup truck traveling southbound, went over the jersey barrier, and struck a Toyota Camry traveling northbound at 1:15 p.m.

“The operator of that northbound car suffered fatal injuries,” Procopio said..

Police have identified the victim as Charles Hu, 26, of Lexington.

The preliminary investigation indicated the left rear wheel of a 1997 Dodge RAM came off the vehicle’s rear axle, police said.

After the wheel crossed the median, it bounced off a northbound Toyota Highlander before striking Hu’s northbound Camry, damaging both the roof and windshield, according to police. Hu was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The driver of the Toyota Highlander, a 50-year-old man from Braintree, was not injured, according to police.

The driver of the pickup truck was a 19-year-old woman from Amesbury, police said. Police have not brought charges against her, and said they will determine whether or not to do so following the investigation.

Source :

1 dead after tire strikes vehicle on Route 128