An uninsured driver once ran me and my '04 Ram 1500 over a curbed meridian and off a freeway interchange at about 55 mph (not electing to drive off the road would've been far worse)! She was trying to make an exit she was missing from the fast lane, and abruptly decided to side-swipe me in the slow lane in the process.

Anyway, I hit the curb on the meridian almost squarely (maybe 10 degrees cocked) and, in addition to other damage, the impact blew my front tire and dented the steel wheel (both requiring replacement). However, the axle held. From this single accident, I'd say your wheel experienced quite a major impact!

The young woman didn't have insurance and was fined $700. I got stuck with the $200 insurance deductible (no fault insurance state), which she is legally responsible for paying, but after paying the fine, do you think she had any money available to ever pay me?

 

I'd also agree that it hit something fast and hard.

 

Definitely hit something hard going over 40mph...

He's a kid... he made a mistake, turn this into a learning experience for him... he's already being punished enough by not having a truck and losing some trust by his parents with regards to driving....