Driver killed when semi’s wheel hub comes through windshield on I-80 near Joliet

A woman was killed Tuesday afternoon when a wheel hub came loose from a semitrailer on Interstate 80 near Joliet and smashed into the her SUV’s windshield.

About 2:20 p.m., the 2004 Volvo semi was headed east on I-80 pulling a Hyundai trailer when a wheel hub came off the trailer’s rear axel near Rowell Avenue and crossed over into the westbound lanes of traffic, according to Illinois State Police.

The lost hub collided with the windshield of a 2016 GMC Acadia as it headed west, killing the driver at the wheel, state police said.

She was identified as 38-year-old Melinda Cullen of Coal City, according to state police and the Will County Coroner’s Office.

Cullen was pronounced dead Tuesday at 2:53 p.m. at Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, the coroner said.

An autopsy Wednesday found Cullen died of multiple injuries due to a motor vehicle mishap.

The driver of the semi, 59-year-old Antanas Sereiva of Bolingbrook, was charged with a violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act for having unsafe equipment, state police said.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash to call Illinois State Police District 5 at (815) 726-6377 ext. 288.