Oklahoma Turnpike Worker Killed in Work Zone Crash; Second Worker in Critical Condition
An Oklahoma turnpike worker was killed and another critically injured after a semi-truck driver veered off the road in a work zone while attempting to retrieve a dropped device, officials confirmed.
According to Trent January, chief engineer of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA), two employees were stationed with a pickup truck displaying red and blue safety lights at the time of the crash.
“One was still inside the pickup with his seat belt on. The other had stepped out to collect debris when the semi driver became distracted, left the roadway, and struck our employee,” January said.
The worker who was killed leaves behind a wife and three children.
This tragedy marks the first work zone death involving an OTA employee since 1999.
Speaking emotionally in a live interview with KOCO 5, January urged drivers to stay alert in construction and maintenance areas, stressing the devastating consequences of distracted driving.