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Man dies after tire smashes into his windshield on Highway 99 near Lerdo Highway

Posted at 6:58 PM, Apr 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-24 19:22:53-04

UPDATE (April 24, 2017 4:20 p.m.): The Coroner has identified the man killed as 30-year-old Francisco Diaz of Dinuba, California.

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UPDATE (April 22, 9:11 a.m.): On Friday, just after 5:30 p.m. officials responded to Highway 99 and Lerdo Highway for reports of a traffic collision. 

Officials said during the course of their investigation they determined that Todd Landon True, 54, of Bakersfield was driving northbound on Highway 99, south of Lerdo Highway, at approximately 70 miles per hour. An unrestrained man driving on southbound Highway 99, south of Lerdo Highway in the number two lane going an unknown speed.

Officials said for unknown reasons the left real wheel/rim and outer portion of the drum break separated from True's vehicle. The wheel assembly traveled over the center divider wall and struck the man's vehicle that was heading southbound. The man suffered major injuries. He was transported to Kern Medical where he later died from his injuries. 

A 9 year old girl who was also in the man's vehicle was taken to Kern Medical with minor injuries. 

True pulled over to the right hand shoulder on the northbound side.

Alcohol does not appear to be a contributing fact in the collision. The collision is under investigation. 

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An accident was reported on southbound Highway 99 near Lerdo Highway Friday evening.

The driver of the single vehicle accident has major injuries.

23ABC will update this story as we receive more information.