An elderly Reno woman was seriously injured Saturday morning when a tire and wheel separated from a trailer and bounced into her as she was riding her motorcycle.
Nevada Highway Patrol troopers responded to the accident in Reno a little after 9 a.m. on Highway 395 near Patriot Boulevard.
Vikki Corrigan, 74, was riding a 1997 Harley-Davidson motorcycle when she was hit by a tire and wheel that separated from a trailer that had been traveling in the north bound lanes. The tire and wheel bounced over the center cement median into Corrigan's path. Corrigan sustained very serious injuries and was transported to Renown Regional Medical Center where she is in the Intensive Care Unit.
Troopers located the tire/wheel and hub assembly near the accident scene and are continuing to interview witnesses, as well as follow-up with all leads.
NHP is asking anyone who may have been towing a trailer in that area to check to see if a tire/wheel is missing, according to a statement. Anyone who lost a wheel that may have caused the accident is asked to contact NHP as soon as possible at (775) 687-0400 or Trooper Scott Farmer at (775) 689-4623.
Anyone who witnessed the accident or saw a tire separate from a trailer, is also encouraged to call.
"Somebody had to have been following the trailer in question as it lost the tire and wheel and should report that information to NHP," said Trooper Chuck Allen.
Traffic was diverted off the highway for several hours while troopers and other public safety personnel investigated the scene.