A wheel that came off the back axle of a pickup truck on Route 128 in Lexington early this afternoon struck two cars killing the male driver of one of them, state police say.

The pickup was being driven by a 19-year-old woman, police added, and she and a passenger are cooperating in the investigation.

"Preliminary investigation by Trooper Brian Williams indicates that the 1997 Dodge RAM pickup was traveling southbound when its left rear wheel came off the rear axle. The wheel flew over the Jersey barrier median, bounced off one northbound vehicle, and then struck a second northbound vehicle, a sedan operated by an adult male," said police spokesman David Procopio said.

"That male driver of the sedan was determined by first responders to be deceased at the scene. The tire impacted that vehicle in the area of the windshield and roof. The disabled Dodge RAM came to a stop in the southbound left lane, just south of exit 31," Procopio added.

The crash occurred at about 1:15 p.m. and traffic on both sides of the highway was jammed.

Police have not released any identities of those involved or of the man killed. The state police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section is assisting in the case.

All lanes are now open. No charges have been announced. "The ongoing investigation will determine if charges are warranted," police said.

Developing …

All lanes now open Rt128 Lexington. Investigation ongoing. Wheel came off SB vehicle, struck NB vehicle, causing fatal injury to NB driver. — Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) January 26, 2016

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