NHTSA Complaint #10605101 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT ABOUT 915 PM JUNE 22 2014, WHEN I HEAR MY BACK TIRES SOUND LIKE THEY WERE CATCHING A FLAT. I SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OVER INTO A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. WHEN I PULLED IN I HEAR A LOUD SCRATCH SOUND AND I SMELLED BURNING RUBBER REALLY BAD. MY COUSIN CAME ON THE SCENE TO PICK ME UP AND HE LOOKED UNDER THE VAN AND TOOK A PICTURE. THE AXLE CRACKED IN HALF AND THE BACK TIRES LOOKED PUSHED IN AT THE TOP AND PROTRUDING OUT AT THE BOTTOM..IF I HAD BEEN GOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MPH I WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE 5 CHILDREN WAITING AT HOME FOR ME WHEN I GET OFF WORK. IM JUST THANKFUL I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT. BUT NOW I DON'T KNOW HOW I CAN CONTINUE WORKING WITHOUT MY VAN. *TR