Truck tire hit Smart car before fatal 57 Freeway crash, CHP says

Last Updated on January 10, 2023 by CCAR Staff

SAN DIMAS – Authorities released more details about a Sunday crash on the 57 Freeway that killed a 22-year-old driver.

The fatal crash happened around 5:45 p.m. on the southbound lanes, north of Covina Boulevard.

A 1989 Ford Econoline truck was traveling northbound on the freeway when its left front tire became detached, flew off into the southbound lanes and hit the windshield of a 2008 Smart car, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP officials said the driver of the Smart car lost control of the vehicle. The car struck the center divider, went across all southbound lanes and hit the bridge rail over Covina Boulevard.

The driver, Ryan M. Mendenhall, died at the scene. The Coroner’s Office said Mendenhall was from Mira Loma while the CHP listed his city of residence as Burbank.

The truck driver, a 53-year-old Victorville man, wasn’t injured.

The investigation is ongoing.


Please accept our sincerest condolences. As you navigate this deeply difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with you, the victims and their loved ones who died in roadway tragedies.

While you take care of yourself and your family, let the legal team at Rafii & Associates, P.C. fight for you. Our personal injury attorneys have decades of experience extracting multi-million dollar settlements from the largest insurance companies. If you or your loved ones were harmed by an auto accident, call us today for a free evaluation of your case: 1-800-262-9885. Hablamos Español, para asistencia inmediata, llámenos.


Free Evaluation


If you or a family member suffered injuries in an auto crash, the award-winning team of personal injury attorneys at Rafii & Associates, P.C. will review your case free of charge. Simply fill out the form below or give us a call toll free at 1-855-468-4482.

Hablamos Español, para asistencia inmediata, llámenos: 1-855-468-4482.

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