19-year-old survives after being struck by a flying tire in Santiago

On November 6, 2026, a 19-year-old student was struck by a detached vehicle tire while walking on a sidewalk in Santiago, Chile. The incident, captured by closed-circuit television (CCTV), shows the tire bouncing with significant force after dislodging from a moving vehicle. Before hitting the pedestrian, the tire reportedly struck two other vehicles.

The victim was immediately transported to Santa María Clinic, where he was treated for minor injuries to his forehead, face, and chest. Despite the severity of the impact, he survived with non-life-threatening wounds. Authorities have identified both the vehicle and the driver involved in the accident.

The driver stated that the vehicle had recently undergone service at a repair shop prior to the mechanical failure that caused the tire to detach. Local authorities are currently investigating the precise cause of the accident, including a review of the vehicle's maintenance history to determine liability.