Flying tire slams into windshield, killing mom driving with 5 children, VA cops say

A bouncing tire turned into a deadly weapon on Virginia’s Interstate 64 when it crashed through the windshield of an SUV and hit the driver, according to Virginia State Police.

Tammy M. Parsons died at the scene of the crash, surrounded by her husband and five children who were also traveling in the SUV, police said in a news release.

It happened around 12:22 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, near Williamsburg, about 50 miles southeast of Richmond, officials said.

A woman driving a 2017 Jeep Renegade was traveling west on the interstate “when one of the tires became dislodged,” police said.

“The tire traveled into the eastbound lanes striking the driver side of a 2005 Ford Explorer. The driver, 53 year old Tammy M. Parsons ... suffered serious life threatening inquires.”

Her husband and the five children escaped injury, officials said.

An investigation is underway into the cause. Alcohol and speed were not factors, police said.

A photo shared by state police shows the SUV sustained heavy damage to the windshield and roof on the driver’s side. It came to a stop after crashing into a guardrail on the left side of the interstate.

Parsons lived in Williamsburg and “was very involved with her children, grandchildren, and Williamsburg Hornets cheer and football” programs, according to a GoFundMe campaign.

The Williamsburg Hornets Football program reports one of the five children in the SUV was Parsons’ grandson, Julian, who plays on the football team.

This story was originally published October 3, 2023 at 8:32 AM with the headline "Flying tire slams into windshield, killing mom driving with 5 children, VA cops say."