Safety Officials Probe Fire Truck Wheels

U.S. safety regulators are investigating a complaint that a front wheel fell off an American Lafrance fire truck last year.

The probe covers about 100 Eagle model aerial ladder trucks from the 2008 model year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says investigators will determine if the front suspension is defective and a recall is needed. They’ll also look at other vehicles with the same design.

On Dec. 2, a fire department complained that the passenger side front spindle snapped and the wheel fell off. The complaint said the driver lost control of the truck. It says the problem could have resulted in injury or death if the truck had been responding to an alarm.

The complaint does not identify the department. Messages were left seeking comment from American Lafrance.