Featured Event Coverage Clarence misfortune; 10/15/2025

I guess you could call this event coverage. We were heading to an event.


BJ Mayberry and I were headed to a gathering of Ford trucks in eastern Kentucky today. b-t-w; I think that all the trucks expected would fit on the hamb.

Here's what I posted on a Ford truck message board:



My truckstock adventure is over; BJ's also.

Eastbound on I-64 somewhere in the east half of Illinois traveling at 70 mph a trailer wheel came flying across the median (also going probably 70 mph) and hit us head-on. Could have been catastrophic, but BJ and I are both fine. The hood flew up and caused some consternation for a few seconds but as we slowed down it came back down. The adrenalin had us shaking for a while but we incurred no injuries. Entire front clip is toast. Radiator and fan also as well as several other small items like the trans cooler lines, etc.

Illinois state police arrived about 45 minutes later and a rollback arrived about an hour after him. BJ and I are both at our respective homes in Missouri.

Clarence is in my shop and probably down for the winter.

The wheel/tire laying on the shop floor is what hit us. I doubt that the owner can be identified from the tire serial number but it's worth a shot.

 

Damn. Glad you two are home and safe.

 

Any toll roads in that area? They are all photo'd at each toll point, & exit. A 3-wheeled-trailer should be easy to find. Maybe a one-wheeled spl got some cops' attention?
Hope you get it fixed ok... & find the wheels' owner.
Marcus...

 

Looks to be a bearing failure.
Lack of lube ate up the rollers. ( happens more than you might imagine )
Hope Clarence has a full recovery.

 

It’s good to hear you both are OK, thank God nobody was hurt. Heading for the SR Nats in OKC years ago the grille and passenger side door on my coupe got slapped by a tire tread that had peeled off a semi. I remained calm but being a fender less car I asked my wife if we still had a brake hose on that side. Everything was fine but things like that sure get your attention.

 

Damn!!!!
That’s repairable but the good thing is you two are safe and alive

 

Bugger! Glad youre both ok, hopefully just the front clip, you were looking for something to do this winter anyway ;-)

 

Very annoying about the truck, but you're unharmed.
I really hope the culprit is found.
Regards, Harald.

 

Holy cow that must have been scary seeing that projectile coming at you! I am so glad you're ok, Mike. Sorry to see Clarence took a hard hit. You'll get it together, I know.

 

Oh my!!! That is some scary stuff. Glad both of you are OK. Could have been so much worse with a windshield strike. Guardian Angels were involved. So sorry for the damage to the truck. If anyone on here has any part or piece that you might need in the fix, hopefully they can donate it or offer it up at a favorable price. Good luck. This could happen to any of us.

 

Wow! Glad to hear that you both weren’t seriously injured. Saw a dual axle trailer on the highway yesterday on my way to Montreal being pulled by a Hydro Quebec truck. One of the brakes on the trailer was locked up with smoke billowing out from it. Honked as I passed. It seemed he eventually pulled off thank goodness.

 

You both get checked out...yes you were extremely fortunate...at that speed...man!! Kudos to you for getting it off to the shoulder and yeah someone should pay for that...

I was worried about reading through the Thread knowing it was going to leave a mark...

 

I’m so sorry it happened, but thankfully you guys are ok.

 

Wow- way to keep your wits about you and bring it to the shoulder. Will the reconfiguration include a bumper?

 

That Sucks! On the bright side though (if there is such a thing in a situation like this) you two are OK. Clarence is repairable. We will keep our eyes open for parts.

 

Glad you guys are OK, Clarence is a tough old bird.

-Abone.

 

Wow. Glad you are ok.

I will say this though. I just hauled a car across the Midwest, and Illinois and Indiana i70 was absolutely terrible roads. My trailer was greased and I had a cotter pin shear from the horrendous bumps in one area. Lost the axle nut and retaining washer. Smoked the bearing but luckily I got stopped before the wheel took off.

Again, so glad you are ok.

 

Wow Mike...thankful you guys are ok. I hate to see all that damage to Clarence, but it can be fixed as you know.

 

Wow, That could have been so much worse, glad you are ok.

 

Glad you are alright. After having seen Clarence at Lloyd's and knowing how much effort you've put into that vehicle, it really sucks that you have to do it again.

 

glad your both ok sorry about your truck that sucks I have seen Mid West Early Ford has new metal fenders and hoods maybe grills I have thought about buying fenders just to have in case myself

 

Aw man. Sorry about your bad luck. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Scary deal. I’m glad you are ok, and can start the rebuilding process.

 

The damage to your truck sucks.
Glad everyone is OK
Dan

 

Glad that you are both OK. It could have been a lot worse.

 

Holy shit! Glad you guys didn't get hurt. Yea the truck is fixable but it still sucks bigtime.

 

Wow, a scary moment for you! Glad you are OK and Clarence looks repairable. We had a trailer wheel and tire assembly hit the driver side of our car a glancing blow and strike the car behind us. A young girl in her first new car on her way to work took it right in the grille. We all were OK and we stayed with her until the police and her folks arrived.

 

Just repeating what has already been said. Glad you guys are doing okay. And get it back on the road.

 

I’m sorry to hear this Mike, fix him up and get back at it.

 

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, but glad you are ok. Wife and I travel alot and are always amazed at the debris scattered along the berms and medians. Most recently, a 55 gallon drum. Get Clarence repaired and back on the road.