SNOW TIRE CHANGE LEADS TO CHARGE AFTER WHEEL COMES OFF

ORILLIA — A driver who recently had her snow tires changed has been charged with unsafe operation of her vehicle after a tire came off and hit another vehicle on Hwy. 11 late yesterday afternoon.

Provincial police at Orillia said today that they have charged a female driver with operate unsafe vehicle after the wheel on her car came off on Highway 11 in Oro-Medonte.

They say that on April 15, shortly after 5 p.m, police were dispatched to a traffic hazard on Highway 11, near Hwy. 400 in Oro-Medonte.

Police say a wheel had come off of a vehicle travelling northbound, striking a vehicle travelling southbound.

Their investigation revealed that the female driver of the northbound vehicle recently had her winter tires changed.

Fortunately there were no injuries from this incident.

The Orillia OPP remind all drivers to ensure their vehicle is safe for the road.

They say at this time of year drivers are switching out their winter tires to all season or summer tires and it is important to ensure the wheels are torqued to the correct specifications and checked on a regular basis.

Most garages and mechanics recommend drivers return within days of the change to make sure the tires were properly tightened.