Traffic slowed to a crawl on the John Kilpatrick Turnpike on Wednesday night after an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper was struck by a vehicle in a construction zone near West Wilshire Road, according to the agency. Emergency crews shut down lanes around the scene while they worked, and officials did not immediately release the trooper’s name or condition.
OHP confirmed the incident, according to KFOR, which reported that a news crew was sent to the scene. The outlet said the trooper was hit in the active work zone at the John Kilpatrick Turnpike and West Wilshire Road as investigators remained on site.
Scene and response
Troopers and other first responders quickly blocked off lanes to reach the injured trooper and begin their investigation, leading to backups on nearby ramps. Similar close calls have played out on the Kilpatrick and other Oklahoma City highways, underscoring just how exposed officers and roadside workers are in fast-moving traffic, as News 9 has previously reported.
Move-over law and what drivers need to know
Oklahoma’s move-over rules require drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights. The so-called Bernardo-Mills requirement is written into state guidance and driver materials, and OHP has repeatedly warned that blowing past those rules puts troopers, construction crews and other roadside workers at serious risk. Violators can face fines, according to Tahlequah News.
As of the initial reports, officials had not provided further information on the trooper’s injuries or whether any charges might be filed, and investigators were still processing the scene, per KFOR. We will update this post when the Oklahoma Highway Patrol releases an official statement.
