Steer Wheel lug nuts

Quite a few years ago, I used to drive. To be honest, I could drive very hard. I usually did this when it was safe to do so, and I would stop the truck when I got sleepy. Dispatchers didn't like it, but hey--what could they do?
Well, I had picked up my load for home (actually had all weekend if I need it). I stopped at a Petro just before hitting Va. if I remember right. I decided to get fuel--even though this was not my style of doing this run. So, I would normally run the hills of Va. and get fuel later. But, for whatever reason, I decided to get fuel and a shower.
So, I start the fuel, and looked at my front passenger side wheel. Something just didn't look right. Walked over and looked at the wheel closer. Oh my Gosh! The lug nuts had come loose and had beat the wheel. Around each lug, there was hole in the wheel. This was not good. Got the fuel, got a shower , parked the truck and went to sleep til morning.

I went through the channels and got a tire guy out. To see this wheel in the daytime was something to see. The tire guy told me I was one lucky ####. There was just a sliver holding that wheel on. He had to go get a new wheel. I am lucky to be alive because I stopped for fuel that night instead of running like I usually did to get home.
I had done a pre-trip before I had left, about 200 miles earlier. I stiil don't know how those lugs worked loose, but it will wake you up about safety. Hopefully, this will help some of you not get lazy about safety. If you stop for fuel, do a quick walk around the truck. If I wouldn't have caught this, there is no question, that the wheel would have come off going down those "hills" in Virginia.

Be safe,
Temptinfates