On October 12, 2026, a wheel came off a stock trailer being towed by a pickup on Interstate 90 near Kimball, South Dakota. It crossed the median and struck a minivan carrying a Minnesota family. Stephen Fletcher Clayton, 31, and his 3-year-old son, David, died. Two other family members were injured, according to Minnesota reporting about the Kimball trailer wheel crash. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the wheel separation.
Pritzker Hageman has extensive experience handling serious injury and wrongful death cases involving vehicle equipment failures. Our attorneys conduct independent investigations, examine physical evidence and maintenance records, and work with engineering and accident reconstruction experts to uncover the cause of a crash and identify the responsible parties.
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What Happened in the Kimball, South Dakota I-90 Trailer Wheel Crash?
According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety’s preliminary findings, the crash occurred at about 2 p.m. near mile marker 292 in Brule County. A Dodge Ram 2500 pickup was traveling westbound with the stock trailer, and the family’s Honda Odyssey minivan was traveling eastbound. The pickup driver was not injured. Authorities said everyone involved was wearing a seat belt.
Why Did the Trailer Wheel Come Off in the Kimball I-90 Crash?
Investigators have not yet determined why the wheel detached from the stock trailer involved in the October 12 crash near Kimball. A wheel can separate from a moving trailer for several reasons, including improper installation, inadequate maintenance, worn components, or mechanical failure.
Potential causes of trailer wheel separation include:
- Loose or improperly tightened lug nuts: Lug nuts that are not installed or tightened correctly can loosen over time, allowing a wheel to separate.
- Broken wheel studs or fasteners: Damaged or weakened components may fail under the forces generated during highway travel.
- Wheel bearing or hub failure: Worn, improperly maintained, or defective bearings and hub components can cause a wheel assembly to detach.
- Incorrect or incompatible replacement parts: Using components that are not appropriate for the wheel assembly can compromise its ability to remain securely attached.
- Improper maintenance or inspection: Failing to identify loose, worn, or damaged wheel components can allow dangerous conditions to develop.
- Defective equipment: Manufacturing or design defects involving wheel components may contribute to a separation.
An investigation may examine the detached wheel, hub assembly, lug nuts, wheel studs, bearings, and other relevant components. Maintenance records and evidence of previous repairs may also help determine whether someone failed to identify or correct a dangerous condition.
How Pritzker Hageman Investigates Vehicle Accidents
Pritzker Hageman’s vehicle accident attorneys conduct independent investigations to identify the mechanical, maintenance, and other factors that contributed to a collision.
In a detached-wheel crash, our attorneys work to preserve and examine critical evidence, including the wheel and tire assembly, axle, hub, bearings, lug nuts, and other components that may reveal how the separation occurred.
We also investigate who owned and maintained the vehicle or trailer, when its wheels were last inspected or serviced, whether repairs were performed correctly, and whether appropriate replacement parts were used.
Our attorneys work with qualified mechanical engineers, accident reconstruction specialists, and other experts to evaluate the physical evidence. These investigations can identify problems that may not be apparent from an initial crash report, including evidence of improper maintenance, incorrect parts, or defective equipment.
Pritzker Hageman’s Experience Investigating a Fatal Detached Wheel Crash
Pritzker Hageman previously secured a multimillion-dollar settlement for a family whose husband and father was killed when a wheel detached from a truck, fell from a bridge, and crashed through his vehicle’s windshield.
The initial police investigation did not identify a critical problem with the wheel assembly. Our legal team conducted our own inspection of the truck and discovered that the wrong wheel nut had been used.
Who Can Be Held Liable When a Trailer Wheel Comes Off?
Depending on the circumstances, potentially liable parties for a runaway truck wheel may include the trailer’s driver or owner, a business responsible for inspecting or maintaining the trailer, a repair shop that improperly serviced the wheel assembly, or a manufacturer whose defective component caused the failure.
More than one party may share legal responsibility. For example, if a repair shop incorrectly installed a wheel and the trailer owner subsequently failed to address an identifiable safety problem, an investigation may uncover evidence of negligence involving multiple parties.
Can You File a Lawsuit After a Trailer Wheel Causes Injury or Death?
Yes. If a detached trailer wheel causes serious injuries or death, victims and surviving family members may be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible parties.
An accident lawsuit may allow victims to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, future care needs, and other damages. Parents or legal guardians may also be able to file a lawsuit on behalf of a child injured or killed in an accident. When an accident results in death, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for their losses and hold negligent parties accountable.
A criminal charge or traffic citation is not required to pursue a civil lawsuit. An independent investigation can help determine why the wheel detached, whether negligence or defective equipment contributed to the accident, and who may be legally responsible.
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Contact Pritzker Hageman About a Detached-Wheel Injury or Death
If someone in your family was seriously injured or killed after a wheel detached from a truck or trailer, Pritzker Hageman’s attorneys can help you understand your legal options.
Our nationally recognized personal injury and wrongful death law firm has experience investigating catastrophic vehicle accidents, mechanical failures, and defective equipment. We know how to investigate complex crashes, identify potentially responsible parties, and pursue compensation for people whose lives have been changed by preventable injuries and deaths.
For a free, confidential consultation, call Pritzker Hageman at 1-888-377–8900, text 612-261-0856, or contact our attorneys online.
We represent seriously injured people and families in wrongful death cases throughout the United States.
Kimball I-90 Trailer Wheel Crash: Frequently Asked Questions
No semi-truck was identified in the preliminary reports. The South Dakota Highway Patrol described a pickup truck towing a stock trailer.
Authorities have not publicly identified why the wheel separated. Identifying the cause requires examination of the equipment and relevant maintenance and repair evidence.
Yes. An attorney can begin evaluating the evidence and pursuing appropriate preservation steps before the law enforcement investigation concludes. Early preservation is important because vehicles can be repaired, parts moved, and records lost.
Responsibility depends on why the wheel detached and who was responsible for installing, inspecting, repairing, or maintaining it. Depending on the evidence, the trailer owner, driver, repair business, or manufacturer of a defective component may be legally responsible. Authorities have not determined the cause of the Kimball wheel separation.
The deadline to file a lawsuit after a trailer wheel accident depends on the state and type of claim. Because these deadlines vary, it is important to consult an attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights and preserve critical evidence.
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