Man dies after flying wheel hits car on I-94 in Washtenaw Co.

A Dearborn Heights man was killed Tuesday after a detached tire flew into his vehicle on Interstate 94 in Washtenaw County, police said.

Michigan State Police troopers with the Brighton Post were called at about 4 p.m. to a location on I-94 near State Street in Ann Arbor Township for a report of a traffic crash.

They found a 49-year-old man dead at the scene.

According to a preliminary investigation, the front driver's side wheel of a Dodge Journey traveling west on I-94 detached from the vehicle, flew over the median wall then struck a Chevrolet Malibu on the freeway's eastbound lanes.

Police said the wheel struck the Malibu on the driver's side of the windshield and roof. The impact caused the roof to cave in and strike the driver in the head.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing but neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be factors in the crash.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

X: @CharlesERamirez