Ottawa County, OK – The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) has confirmed that one worker, Zac Rinehart from the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) has died and another is in critical condition after being struck by a semi-truck on Interstate 44 near Miami.
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The tragic incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. when a semi-truck traveling eastbound on I-44 veered off the roadway. According to OHP, the truck struck an OTA worker who was on foot collecting trash before continuing on to collide with a parked OTA vehicle, where another worker was inside.
The worker on foot was killed at the scene and has been identified as Zac Rinehart, Heavy Equipment Operator II, who had served with the Will Rogers Turnpike maintenance crew for the past two years. The worker inside the truck was transported to the hospital in critical condition. The semi-truck driver was not injured.
In a statement, the OTA expressed its deep sorrow, calling Rinehart’s death a devastating loss for the agency and his colleagues.
“This loss is deeply felt by all of his co-workers across the state, and the OTA extends its heartfelt condolences to the Rinehart family,” the statement read. “We urge Oklahomans to keep Rinehart, his family, and his injured co-worker in their thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.”
The eastbound lanes of I-44 near Miami were closed for nearly three hours following the crash but have since reopened.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the accident.