This is the terrifying moment a loose wheel bounced into a police car and smashed its windscreen.

Two police officers were monitoring traffic in Bellefonte town in Pennsylvania on February 14 when the rubber tyre crashed into their patrol cruiser.

Dashcam footage shows the wheel barreling across the road before heading straight for the police vehicle and shattering its windshield. It then rolled onto the opposite side of the highway without hitting other cars.

The runaway tyre reportedly came loose from the rear of a pickup truck headed westward. Its driver will not be held liable as the incident was a ‘freak accident,’ Police Chief Adam Salyards said.

The two officers were safe, but their car sustained extensive damage. The Spring Township Police Department said they are still estimating repair costs.