Wheel Bearing Failure Cause of Trailer Wheel Separation Accident?

A wheel bearing failure caused by improper maintenance and lack of lubrication of a tractor-trailer wheel axle resulted in a fatality.  The left rear wheels of a tractor-trailer separated from the truck and spun off the axle. The loose tractor wheels veered across the highway median onto opposing traffic lanes, struck and fatally injured an off-road pedestrian. The trailer wheel bearing failure was caused by long term bearing deterioration and extreme heat resulting from insufficient lubrication.  

An overall view of the undercarriage of the subject trailer showing where the dual trailer wheels separated from the subject trailer is shown in Photograph A. 

Photograph A  Overall view of tractor trailer with missing left rear tractor dual wheels (see white arrow).

The heat damaged tractor trailer axle spindle is shown in Photograph B.

Photograph B  Overall view of axle spindle showing effect of long term heat resulting in wheel bearing disintegration and wheel spindle deformation from inadequate maintenance  

The trailer wheel bearing failure was caused by long term and extreme heat resulting from insufficient lubrication.

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