The incident happened shortly after 11 a.m. along the westbound side of SR-60, just west of Jack Rabbit Trail, the man died after a loose tire from another vehicle flew into oncoming traffic and struck his car, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP investigators reported that a 54-year-old Riverside man was driving a silver BMW 328i eastbound when the car’s left rear tire detached and shot into the air. The tire vaulted over the center divider and landed in the westbound lanes. A white Toyota Sienna traveling westbound, driven by the 68-year-old victim, collided with the airborne tire. The impact crushed the Toyota’s windshield and roof, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle first hit the center divider, then veered off and slammed into a nearby dirt embankment.

The driver of the Toyota died at the scene. His female passenger suffered minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. The BMW driver was unharmed. CHP is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has additional information is asked to contact Officer J. Esparza or Public Information Officer R. Palomera at the San Gorgonio Pass CHP office: 195 Highland Springs Avenue, Beaumont, CA 92223, or call (951) 846-5300.