Greenville, SC : Motorcyclist killed when tire flies off car on I-85 in Greenville County on Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Greenville, South Carolina
A motorcyclist was killed when a tire flew off a car traveling in the opposite direction on the interstate, according to troopers.
Coroner Parks Evans said Thomas Michael Merlau, 50, of Greenville was killed in the crash.
Cpl. Bill Rhyne with the South Carolina Highway Patrol said Merlau was riding his motorcycle northbound on Interstate 85 just before 8:45 p.m. Tuesday as a Mitsubishi was traveling southbound.
The left front tire from the Mitsubishi came off and flew over the concrete median SCHP: Car's tire detaches and travels over median, killing motorcyclist barrier into the northbound lane, striking Merlau, according to Rhyne.
According to employees with GE, Merlau worked with the company.
Rhyne said the Merlau was wearing a helmet, but died at the scene.
According to the Greenville County Coroner, Meralu died from blunt force trauma to the head.
The Mitsubishi driver was not injured.
The crash is still under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.