A 72-year-old Dallas man turned a Thursday afternoon drive on I-35 in Carter County into a high-speed pursuit that shut down the interstate in both directions for nearly an hour, authorities said. The chase ended in a tense standoff after his vehicle slammed into the center median and troopers moved in to bring the scene under control.
How The High-Speed Chase Unfolded
According to KXII, Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers began pursuing the vehicle shortly after 3 p.m., after multiple callers reported reckless driving on the interstate. The driver, identified as Mark Schriefer, reportedly pushed speeds up to 120 miles per hour.
About two minutes into the chase, Schriefer lost control and crashed into the center median, but authorities say he kept trying to drive. Troopers then executed a PIT maneuver, and the situation escalated into a standoff before officers ended it by deploying a gas canister, with both highway patrol troopers and Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police on scene to make the arrest.
Tribal Officers Assisted In The Arrest
The Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police serve as the tribe's law enforcement agency across parts of southern Oklahoma. According to the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police, the department covers 13 counties and frequently works alongside state and local agencies on highway and public-safety operations, so their role in Thursday's multi-agency response tracks with that mission.
From Hospital To Jail: Charges Stack Up
KXII reports that Schriefer was treated for minor injuries at two local hospitals before being booked into the Carter County Jail on July 9. He faces multiple charges, including felony eluding, reckless driving and operating a vehicle while impaired.
Why This Stretch Of I-35 Matters
This portion of I-35 near Ardmore has seen several serious crashes and pursuits in recent months, making any closure a headache for commuters and freight traffic alike. Local coverage has already documented deadly and injury crashes along this same corridor earlier this year, according to KOCO.
Schriefer remains in custody at the Carter County Jail as the case moves through the local court system. Authorities have not released any additional details about what may have prompted his reported behavior on the interstate.
