Dashcam footage shows the tire bouncing across the highway median before striking the westbound vehicle near Girard Avenue.
PHILADELPHIA — A loose tire flew across the median of Interstate 76 and slammed into an SUV traveling on the Schuylkill Expressway, according to dashcam video recorded near Girard Avenue.
The incident happened around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 29. The footage shows the tire bouncing from the opposite side of the highway before entering the westbound lanes and striking the SUV. Authorities had not publicly identified the vehicle from which the tire came.
A Tesla driver traveling westbound told Action News that cameras on his vehicle recorded the tire crossing the median and hitting an SUV behind him. The driver said he heard the impact but did not understand what had happened until he later reviewed the video.
The recording shows the tire approaching at highway speed before landing on the front of the SUV. The impact damaged the hood and windshield and sent pieces of the vehicle onto the roadway.
The SUV’s driver appeared to brake after the impact. Available reports did not identify the driver or any passengers, and officials had not released information confirming whether anyone was injured.
It also remained unclear what type of vehicle lost the tire, where the vehicle was traveling or whether its driver stopped. The footage shows the tire coming from across the median, but it does not provide a clear view of its source.
Loose wheels can remain in motion after separating from a vehicle and may cross lanes or barriers before stopping. Investigators would need to determine whether the tire detached because of a mechanical failure, damaged equipment or another cause. No official finding had been announced.
The collision occurred near the Girard Avenue interchange, a heavily traveled section of the Schuylkill Expressway that carries traffic through Philadelphia. The video circulated online after local news outlets reported on the incident.
Pennsylvania State Police were seeking information about where the tire came from, according to published reports. No citations, charges or further details about the SUV’s occupants had been announced as of Sunday.
Author note: Last updated Aug. 2, 2026.