OHP troopers identified after crashing during motorcade for fallen Tulsa officer
UPDATE: The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says that as the motorcade of law enforcement vehicles was traveling on the Kilpatrick Turnpike, a vehicle driving westbound saw the procession and pulled to the right, stopping on the westbound shoulder so the procession could pass.
According to OHP, Trooper Rocky Barnes, who was going westbound on the shoulder to lead the motorcade, struck the left rear bumper of the vehicle as it was parked on the shoulder.
The OHP motorcycle then traveled back into the westbound lanes, where it crashed with other OHP motorcycles.
OHP says the driver of the vehicle had legally pulled to the shoulder, stopped, and did not violate any traffic laws.
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UPDATE: The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has identified the three troopers involved in today's crash as Rocky Barnes, Steve Eason and Ron Watson.
OHP says two of the troopers have already been released from the hospital.
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UPDATE: The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the Kilpatrick Turnpike westbound between Broadway and Eastern in Oklahoma City will remain closed until its investigation is complete.
Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said during the city's press conference Thursday that, “No Tulsa police officers were injured, but we’re certainly cognizant of the fact that apparently Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers were injured in the process of honoring our fallen officer, and all our thoughts in our community right now are with those troopers as they’re receiving medical attention."
Gov. Kevin Stitt released the following statement:
I ask Oklahomans to join the First Lady and me in praying for the recovery of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers who were injured, for their families and for all those affected by this terrible accident. It is always difficult to receive news of first responders being injured in the line of duty, but it is especially heartbreaking to learn this incident happened during the procession for an officer who was senselessly murdered while protecting his community.
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UPDATE: Three Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers are in serious condition and were taken to a nearby hospital.
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TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) -- Three Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers were injured in a crash during the procession for fallen Tulsa Police Sgt. Craig Johnson on the Kilpatrick Turnpike on Thursday morning.
