CMV equipment failure sends wheel ‘rocketing’ across I-10, Arizona firefighters say

Firefighters in Eloy, Arizona, responded to a major tractor trailer equipment failure along a busy interstate last week.

The Eloy Fire District (EFD) was dispatched for a report of a semi truck brake fire.

“The reporting party stated that a “ball of fire appeared” from the vehicle and shot across two lanes of freeway traffic,” the agency said on June 12.

Firefighters located a truck with a missing wheel on I-10 at mile marker 216.

Crews searched the area and located an intact wheel and axle rod.

EFD said that while the truck was traveling at highway speed, “the axle hub assembly failed and rocketed the wheel across the interstate.”

No vehicles were hit and no injuries were reported.

“We are thankful that nobody was injured in this event. As it stands, we can file this one under either “close calls” or “strange but true”…probably both,” EFD said.