A serious early morning crash on Interstate 35 near Guthrie could have ended in tragedy, but the driver involved walked away unharmed.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) says around 4 a.m., a semi truck struck a disabled vehicle that had been left in the right lane of the highway after the driver hit a deer.
According to OHP, the driver moved to the side of the road after his vehicle became disabled. The semi driver did not see the stopped vehicle in time and crashed into it.
The driver’s wife later shared more details on social media, saying her husband’s hazard and emergency lights were flashing, and he had been trying to flag down help when no one stopped. She said he briefly returned to the car to retrieve his phone to call 911, then moved to a safe location to wait for assistance.
“We’re lucky to have my husband alive,” she wrote. “The semi didn’t stop, didn’t attempt to slow down. I could have been a widow today with two children without a father. My husband did everything right… By the grace of God, he’s still here.” She added that the semi eventually pulled over, but the crash was initially perceived as a hit-and-run.
OHP says disabled vehicles on busy highways can be extremely dangerous, especially at night. They remind drivers:
Never stand or stay inside traffic lanes – Even if your vehicle’s lights are on, other drivers may not see you.
Turn on hazard lights immediately – Know where they are before an emergency.
Move yourself to a safe location away from the roadway and your vehicle.
Call 911 or roadside assistance.
Wait safely until help arrives.
While the deer collision caused only minor damage, the impact from the semi totaled the vehicle. Troopers urge drivers to use extreme caution when approaching any stopped vehicle and to be alert for roadside hazards. Be alert, use caution, and follow safety procedures to reduce the risk of secondary crashes.