MIAMI, Okla. — An Oklahoama Turnpike Authority worker was killed on Monday after being struck by an 18-wheeler.
The incident happened on the Will Rogers Turnpike (Interstate 44 eastbound) just east of the Miami exit, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
OHP says a preliminary investigation indicates that a semi-truck traveling eastbound drifted off the roadway to the right, striking an OTA work crew employee who was on foot collecting debris. The truck then struck a parked OTA vehicle that had another employee inside.
The OTA employee on foot was killed. The employee inside the truck was critically injured and transported to a hospital in Joplin for treatment.
The semi-truck driver was uninjured and has been cooperative with the investigation.
The truck driver stated to investigators that he had dropped a device and was attempting to retrieve it when he drifted from the roadway, according ta a release from OHP.
“This was a preventable tragedy,” the release stated. “Nothing is more important than focusing on what is happening in front of you and around you while driving. A single moment of distraction can cost lives and change families forever.
The men and women who maintain and protect our highways are our partners. OTA crews are always quick to provide assistance when we call, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol values the strong connection we share with them in serving the public. The troopers who work alongside these crews on the turnpikes will deeply feel this loss.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the workers involved and to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority,” the release continued. “This investigation is still in its early stages, and once complete, the findings will be submitted to the appropriate legal authority for review. The information being released at this time is preliminary and subject to change as the investigation continues.”
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
I think it’s important to state what it was that was dropped by the driver. If the cell phone is in a cradle and only used by voice, it was not the phone that was dropped. Was it a cup of coffee or a soda? What was it that it was so important?
Was this driver so not paying attention, that they were not looking at the road ahead? Was this item more important than the drivers responsibility at that time? Maybe the driver dozed off like the driver a few weeks ago on I-20? There is a time and place for everything, and when a commercial truck driver controlling an 18 wheeler, loaded or empty, their priority at that time must be on their driving that rig. This “simple” mistake killed someone~ a husband or son or daughter of someone, and seriously injured a second person. This is not to be taken lightly.
A CDL holder has a serious job, and part of that job is that not only themselves but everyone around them on the street or the highway, gets home to be with their family.
I believe all “new” drivers need to be trained better. It should be city streets and local deliveries for the first year, and then the circle expanded to 50 or 100 miles for the second year. America needs professional truck drivers on our highways, and those truck drivers who look like they are bored when they are driving, need to go back to the basement playing video games or find a job they can feel good at doing. President Trump wants to stop wars so the killing stops.
We need to have safe highways, and yes accidents happen but hopefully not by a professional driver.