Illinois Man Killed When Tire Goes Through Windshield

Police are still searching for the driver whose tire struck Mark Bolan

A 55-year-old Lombard, Illinois, man was killed Monday after a tire flew off an oncoming vehicle on I-90 in Wisconsin and through the windshield of the vehicle he was riding in.

Mark Bolan was traveling to Wisconsin on a fishing trip with his best friend when the crash happened in Dane County. His family said he was killed instantly.

"In a freak accident like this there's no intent involved, maybe some carelessness," Bolan's brother-in-law, Dan Simic, said. "It's hard to blame anybody. It's better not to dwell on vengeance or guilt. It's better just to move forward."

Wisconsin State Patrol said the tire came off an unknown heavy utility truck or trailer heading eastbound on I-90 near Madison as Bolan's car was travelling westbound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

As Bolan's family focuses on funeral plans, his wife says she's in shock.

"I'm aware one moment," Mia Bolan said, "not aware one moment. It's hitting hard."

Bolan grew up in Chicago and graduated from Maine South High School. His family said he often performed improv at ComedySportz and was employed by the restaurant company Lettuce Entertain You. Entertaining was his joy, they said.

"Mark was the life of the party. Gregarious, outgoing, engaging. When he was in the room, it just lit up."

Boland was in the passenger seat, and his friend was behind the wheel when the crash happened. His friend was not injured in the accident.

"What is it going to be like without him?" Mia Bolan said. I can't imagine. It will be scary. It will be scary."

Police are still searching for the driver whose tire struck Bolan.

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