Noise and damage on a 2003 4cyl LE
 

My son reported that he'd had a flat tire this past Friday night and filled that in with facts that the wheel and tire were "shot". I asked if it was pothole and didn't get a clear answer.

It turned out that the now-throwaway wheel and tire were on the REAR, driver's side. The front wheel was scraped and the wheel covers on both front and back were destroyed.

I still don't know what happened but I said, "Looks like you backed into something while going 40 miles/hour." He said, "No...about 20".

On the way home, a rumbling sound arose. I think it must be bearings on the rear. Does that make sense given the kind of impact there looks to have been ?