A Wednesday morning drive in southwest Oklahoma City turned deadly after a head-on collision left one person dead and several others hurt, according to Oklahoma City police. The crash happened shortly after 8 a.m. near Southwest 112th Street and South Western Avenue, shutting down the roadway as first responders rushed in. Firefighters had to cut at least one person out of a vehicle before that person was taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said. Police have not yet released the names of anyone involved, and the investigation is still underway.
Two vehicles were involved, and early accounts indicate one car was traveling at a high rate of speed and lost control before slamming into the other head-on, according to News 9. Emergency crews stayed on scene for several hours to clear debris and document evidence, and the stretch of road remained closed while they worked. Officials said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Why Head-On Wrecks Are Often Deadly
Head-on crashes are some of the most violent collisions on the road, since the impact effectively combines the speed of both vehicles and can lead to devastating injuries. In Oklahoma, the problem has been on transportation officials’ radar for years. Between 2002 and 2006, head-on collisions were responsible for 342 deaths and 1,796 injuries, according to the Oklahoma Strategic Highway Safety Plan. Safety measures such as centerline rumble strips, clearer pavement markings and added medians have long been pushed as ways to keep drifting drivers out of oncoming lanes.
Investigation and What to Expect
Oklahoma City police say the crash remains under active investigation as they work to reconstruct what happened near Southwest 112th and Western. The initial report from the scene, including the detail that a person was trapped and later extricated, was first shared by News 9. Drivers in the area should be ready for delays while investigators finish documenting the scene and crews complete cleanup.
Authorities are asking anyone who saw the crash or has video of the collision to contact the Oklahoma City Police Department. Officials also urged drivers to steer clear of the area until the roadway is fully reopened.
