A Saturday afternoon ride on Interstate 44 in southwest Oklahoma City ended in tragedy when a 74-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle crash near Southwest 59th Street. Troopers identified the rider as Oklahoma City resident Tommy Huffman and said the Oklahoma Highway Patrol has opened an investigation into the fatal wreck.
According to KOCO, the crash happened just before 2:45 p.m. Huffman was riding north on I-44 near Southwest 59th when his motorcycle left the roadway and rolled several times before coming to a stop. Troopers told KOCO that unsafe speed was listed as a contributing factor in the collision.
Speed and motorcycle crashes in Oklahoma
State crash data shows speed-related factors are often cited in motorcycle collisions, particularly on higher-speed roads such as interstates. The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office’s crash facts report highlights unsafe speed as one of the frequent contributing factors in motorcycle wrecks, according to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office.
National safety reminders
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that motorcyclists remain overrepresented in traffic deaths and urges riders to take every available precaution. The agency recommends wearing DOT-compliant helmets, riding sober and obeying posted speed limits. It also reminds drivers to give motorcycles extra following distance and to use extra caution at intersections, according to NHTSA.
Investigation ongoing
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash and has not released additional details about the circumstances as of the latest reports. KOCO reported that troopers identified unsafe speed as a contributing factor in the fatal wreck.
