By Madina Toure
Two people were injured after a tire flew off of a car on the Grand Central Parkway Friday afternoon, the NYPD said.
At about 3:15 p.m., police responded to a collision on the eastbound Grand Central Parkway in the vicinity of the Cross Island Parkway exit, according to a police spokesman.
A preliminary investigation by the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad determined that the front driver side tire of a Mazda Tribute SUV being driven a 27-year-old female driver that was westbound on the Grand Central Parkway detached from the vehicle, crossed the median strip of the highway and struck the windshield of a Toyota Rav4, the spokesman said.
The driver of the Toyota, a 62-year-old man, received a minor shoulder injury while the front passenger, a 63-year-old man, was taken to Manhasset Long Island Jewish Hospital with head trauma and is in critical condition, the spokesman continued.
The driver of the Mazda, along with 15-month-old female baby passenger, were taken to Manhasset for evaluation, with the front seat passenger having major head trauma, the spokesman added.
The tire went airborne when it hit a metal guard rail and when it hit the roof and windshield of the Toyota, both were caved in, the spokesman said.
The 15-month-old child was in approved child seat, the official said.
The investigation was ongoing, the spokesman said.
Reach reporter Madina Toure by e-mail at mtour
