TULSA, Okla. -A Tulsa man was killed and a construction worker was injured Friday morning in a crash on westbound Interstate 44 near the U.S. 75 interchange, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Troopers identified the victim as Rex Benson, 59, of Tulsa. He was the only person inside the car and was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, according to OHP.
What we know
Troopers said Benson was driving westbound on I-44 when his car struck the back of a construction service vehicle that was stopped on the shoulder near 33rd West Avenue, just before Exit 223C.
According to OHP, the truck had pulled over to clear debris from the roadway. Its arrow board and warning lights were activated at the time of the crash.
A 29-year-old worker inside the truck was taken to a hospital with significant injuries, troopers said. A passenger in the truck was not hurt.
The crash occurred in an active construction zone where the speed limit is reduced to 60 mph. Troopers said they are still investigating the cause of the crash and whether speed was a factor.
Traffic impact
The crash caused traffic backups for several miles on westbound I-44, at one point stretching past the Arkansas River toward Riverside Drive. Traffic was reduced to one lane for several hours while crews investigated and cleared the scene.
As of 1 p.m. Friday, all lanes of westbound I-44 had reopened.
The investigation is ongoing, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.