Tire Snaps Off Truck In Lake Elsinore, Driver Arrested For DUI

A man whose tire snapped off its axle as he was driving on Railroad Canyon Road in Lake Elsinore last night was under the influence, police are alleging.

Efrain Hurtado, 37, of Lake Elsinore was not injured in the incident that occurred shortly before 10 p.m. near Church Road, but he was placed under arrest at the scene for drunken driving, according to a Lake Elsinore Police Department news release.

Hurtado was allegedly driving a black Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on Railroad Canyon and struck the center median, “causing the rear passenger side tire to snap off the axle,” the news release stated. “The truck continued across the center median and westbound lanes of Railroad Canyon Road before coming to a stop.”

Police were called to the scene, but no other vehicles or property were damaged; Hurtado was the only occupant in the Silverado, according to the release.

Hurtado was booked into the Southwest Detention Center. In addition to the DUI allegation, jail records allege he was driving on a suspended license and failed to provide proof of auto insurance.