Freak Accident on Freeway Investigated

Police on Tuesday continued to investigate a freak accident that claimed the life of a Goleta woman Monday on the Ventura Freeway when her car was struck by a flying tire and then rear-ended.

Ivonne Jimenez, 30, was pronounced dead Monday at 6:22 p.m. after she was transported by helicopter to the Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, coroner officials said.

Jimenez was traveling northbound near Padre Juan Canyon Road and the seaside community of Seacliff when a wheel broke loose from a southbound trailer and slammed into her car, the California Highway Patrol said. The wheel belonged to Bryan K. Robinson, 33, of New Mexico, whose van was pulling a trailer, the CHP said.

Jimenez’s Toyota Tercel was disabled by the flying wheel and her car came to a stop on the highway, the CHP said.

Minutes later, Jimenez was fatally injured when a car driven by John J. Lowe, 23, of Camarillo, rear-ended her car at 5 p.m., the CHP said. Lowe suffered minor injuries. No one else was hurt.

Investigators will decide whether to press charges against Lowe or Robinson at a later date, the CHP said.