A nasty pothole on I-90 turned Thursday’s morning drive into a tire-shredding mess on the Cleveland–Lakewood line, but two local tire shop owners jumped in before things got even worse. Eddie Pawlak and Jordan Rendeiro, who recently opened a Cleveland tire business, pulled onto the shoulder near the Warren Road exit and started helping stranded drivers whose tires had been torn up, getting several cars back on the road and saving motorists the cost of a tow.
Shop Owners Turn Shoulder Into Pop-Up Tire Bay
Pawlak and Rendeiro, who run a startup called Tireswap, put on spare tires at no charge and then retrieved and mounted replacements for multiple drivers right there on the shoulder, according to FOX8. The station reports the pair refused payment and kept working with motorists until the backup cleared and the immediate chaos eased.
Officials Say I-90 Pothole Damaged Dozens of Commuters’ Tires
Local traffic crews and officers said the pothole opened on eastbound I-90 near Warren Road and chewed through more than a dozen vehicles during the commute. 19 News reported that at least 12 vehicles were hit with damage and that ODOT crews were called in to patch the problem spot.
Driver Files Claim With ODOT After Blowout
One motorist, Chris Parks, told FOX8 he filed a damage claim on the Ohio Department of Transportation website after his tire blew out in the crater. Parks said he was “relieved” that the roadside help spared him a tow bill and the cost of a brand-new tire, and Pawlak even offered to get him a full set of tires. The Cleveland Division of Police told FOX8 the pothole ultimately damaged roughly 15 cars.
What To Do When A Pothole Takes Out Your Tire
If a pothole trashes your vehicle, experts say you should document the scene with photos, hold on to all repair receipts, and grab any police or tow reports that can support a claim. FOX19 notes that Ohio motorists can seek reimbursement through state channels, although payouts often depend on whether the agency had prior notice of the pothole and enough time to fix it.
Small Shops Step Up When The Road Breaks Down
Local repair businesses reported a wave of calls after the pothole opened and warned that what starts as a simple tire replacement can spiral into pricey suspension or wheel work. 19 News quoted one mechanic who said those kinds of repairs “could be looking into the thousands,” a steep reminder of why the volunteer roadside assist from a couple of tire pros made a real difference for commuters caught in the mess.
