Driver Crashes Into Oklahoma Highway Patrol Vehicle

Incident occurred near H.E. Bailey Turnpike as trooper and OTA worker diverted traffic due to grass fire.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A driver was flown to the hospital after crashing into an Oklahoma Highway Patrol vehicle while a trooper and an Oklahoma Turnpike Authority worker were diverting traffic due to a grass fire along the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. Neither the trooper nor the OTA worker were injured in the incident.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers first responders face when assisting with traffic control, and the importance for drivers to slow down and move over when approaching flashing lights and emergency vehicles.

The details

According to officials, the trooper and OTA worker had exited their vehicles to assist with traffic control along the H.E. Bailey Turnpike when a vehicle drove through the area and struck the trooper's patrol vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was flown to a nearby hospital, where they are expected to survive.

  • The incident occurred on Monday afternoon.

The players

Oklahoma Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency responsible for patrolling Oklahoma's highways and assisting with traffic control.

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA)

The state agency responsible for operating and maintaining Oklahoma's turnpike system.

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The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of driver awareness and caution when approaching emergency situations on the roadway, in order to protect both first responders and other motorists.