Runaway dual wheels from commercial vehicle strike van carrying six in Mount Shasta, CHP says

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) praised the driver of a van for maintaining control over her vehicle after it was hit by a set of dual wheels that came off a passing semi trailer.

The incident occurred on March 23, 2026, in Glenn County, California, according to CHP’s Willows Division.

“Six friends from various locations in the United States and Mexico were returning from a lady’s getaway in Mount Shasta when they were shocked to see a set of dual wheels that had departed a northbound big rig trailer and crossed the center divider rolling straight at them in the southbound lane,” state troopers said.

CHP said that the trailer wheels struck the side of the van, resulting in a “severe impact.”

Troopers noted that quick thinking by the van driver likely prevented serious injuries to the other occupants of the van.

“The driver was able to maintain control of the van and steer it to the shoulder. Her ability to resist the urge to yank the wheel to the side likely prevented the loss of control and rollover we so often see as people over steer in reaction to an imminent crash. Her ability to maintain control kept the injuries to the occupants of the van minor in nature,” said CHP.