A fatal incident was reported in southwest Oklahoma City early Thursday morning. According to officials, a pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle near SW 12th St. and Portland Ave. KFOR confirmed the collision, stating that the victim was hit by a car and died at the scene.
In a concurrently reported incident at the same location, News 9 detailed that an Oklahoma City police response revealed the victim was struck by a trash collection truck. Following the accident, South Portland Avenue was closed to traffic while emergency crews worked on clearing the area.
Oklahoma City's morning rain and dark conditions are believed to have been contributing factors to the tragic event. KOCO 5 reported that the individual was walking in the middle of the road during poor visibility when they were hit by a Waste Management truck. The station quoted police officials, who confirmed that, " the person was walking in the middle of the roadway when a Waste Management truck hit them." The victim, whose identity has not yet been released, was pronounced dead at the scene.
This recent fatality adds to ongoing concerns regarding pedestrian safety and vehicle-related accidents in the area. As police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, details surrounding the cause and any measures to improve safety in this southwest area of the city remain pending. The closure of South Portland Avenue during the investigation caused some delay, but the street has since reopened to traffic.
