A woman was hospitalized after a set of semi truck tires flew off a rig and struck her vehicle on Interstate 80 near Walcott, Iowa.
When it happened: The incident occurred Friday morning, February 7, near the heavily trafficked I-80 Truck Stop.
The details: Sarah Pender was driving west on I-80 when tires came off a semi in front of her, hitting her car. The impact sent her car airborne, rolling over multiple times and coming to a rest upside down in the median.
- Pender suffered several broken ribs and leg injuries but was released from the hospital and is now recovering at home.
- The semi driver did not stop, and the Iowa State Patrol has categorized it as a hit-and-run.
Pender's sister, Jennifer Ziemer, shared that they are seeking any dash cam footage from drivers in the area between 7:25 and 8 a.m. on the morning of the crash. "We're in an era of dash cam footage and video," Ziemer said, urging witnesses to help track down the missing semi driver.
The impact totaled Pender's vehicle, reported KWQC News. Fortunately, no suspects have been named yet.
Next steps: Iowa State Patrol continues to investigate, and the family hopes public support will aid in identifying the truck involved. Additional information is being sought to bring closure to the case.