WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GIVE MY VEHICLE GAS AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, I HEARD A HISSING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I BEGAN TO GIVE THE VEHICLE GAS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS INCREDIBLY HARD TO TURN. I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND AS A RESULT, I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING COLUMN FELT AS THOUGH IT DID NOT HAVE POWER STEERING AT THE TIME. WHEN MY VEHICLE CAME TO REST, I WAS FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MEDIAN AND HAD ADDITIONALLY TAKEN OUT SEVERAL ROADS SIGNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY AND INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC FOR THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE RIGHT TIE ROD HAD BROKEN. AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE, THE RADIATOR WAS BUSTED, HEADLIGHT BUSTED AND MANY OTHER COSTLY EXPENSES. AT PRESENT TIME, MY VEHICLE REMAINS IN THE BODY SHOP AWAITING REPAIRS. THIS HAS ENDED UP A VERY COSTLY DEFECT IN MY VEHICLE AND I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER FOR SOME REIMBURSEMENT! THIS ACCIDENT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE POLICE. *JB