An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper is recovering after his patrol SUV was slammed into and rolled multiple times Monday morning while he was heading to an overturned dump truck crash on State Highway 9 near State Highway 9A in the Longtown area. Emergency crews worked for about 15 minutes to free the trooper, who was pinned inside the wrecked vehicle, before he was flown to a Tulsa-area hospital and later released in stable condition that evening. The other driver suffered minor injuries, and investigators say the collision is still under review.
What the Agency Says
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, troopers were headed to an injury collision involving an overturned dump truck around 10 a.m. Monday when the crash happened. The agency reports that the trooper, running lights and sirens, was attempting to pass another vehicle when that driver turned left into a private driveway and struck the patrol unit.
Rollovers and Rescue
Regional coverage expanded on the agency’s account, reporting that the impact sent the patrol SUV rolling several times before it finally came to rest upright off the roadway. As reported by KRMG, the trooper was trapped for roughly 15 minutes while crews worked to extricate him. The outlet also noted that the driver of the other vehicle escaped with only minor injuries.
Condition and Probe
The trooper was flown from the scene to a Tulsa-area hospital and later released in stable condition, according to local reporting. The collision remains under investigation, and officials have not publicly identified the trooper, as reported by The Oklahoman.
Why It Matters for Drivers
The crash highlights how vulnerable first responders are when they are racing to or working at highway incidents. State transportation officials stress the importance of the Move Over law, which requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching vehicles with flashing lights. For details, see the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
