A motorist who had pulled over on the Long Island Expressway Wednesday was struck by a tire that flew off of a tractor-trailer, police said.
Suffolk County Police say the driver had pulled off to the side of the ramp at exit 61 on the westbound LIE to check a noise his car was making when two tires broke off of a passing tractor-trailer.
One of the tires was heading right for his new Jeep and he tried to stop it, police say.
The tire hit him, knocking him down. The man, who police say was about 70 years old, banged his head on the ground.
He was airlifted to a hospital where he was listed in critical condition with a leg wound from the tire.
Police said there was no indication that either the truck driver or the victim was intoxicated.
