Iowa CMV troopers ‘beg’ drivers to check equipment after two wheel-off incidents this week, resulting in fatality

The Iowa State Patrol Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit is urging commercial vehicle drivers to check and maintain their equipment after two wheel-off incidents took place on Iowa interstates this week.

The first wheel-off incident took place around 6 p.m. on January 25, 2026, on I-80 in Jasper County.

KCCI reports that wheels came off of an eastbound semi truck’s trailer. The wheels went through the median and then into the westbound lanes of I-80, striking a vehicle driven by Illinois resident Drew M. Peterson, 22.

Peterson died at the scene.

On January 27, 2026, an Iowa trooper witnessed a similar incident involving a pickup truck hauling a trailer. No injuries were reported in association with that incident.

“Yesterday, a driver tragically died on an Iowa roadway after wheels came off a CMV and struck another vehicle. Today, one of our troopers witnessed a wheel come off this trailer on I-380,” troopers said.

“We beg you – please maintain your equipment and do everything you can to ensure this doesn’t happen to you. It could save a life,” the Iowa State Patrol said.