1 Killed, 7 Injured in Chandler Truck Accident

One person was killed and seven others were injured in a truck crash between a semi-truck and a Chevrolet Suburban on the Turner Turnpike in Chandler on November 9, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

What Happened on the Turner Turnpike

Emergency crews were called to the eastbound lanes just before 12:50 p.m. near mile marker 170, in Lincoln County. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said a commercial vehicle was accelerating from a travel plaza to merge onto the turnpike when it collided with a Chevrolet Suburban traveling east. The SUV then spun clockwise and rolled an unknown number of times, troopers said. The semi-truck driver made a controlled stop on the outside shoulder, and the patrol said he was not injured. Tulsa Public Schools officials said the passengers were Webster High School students heading home from a student council convention in Norman. The Suburban carried seven students and one staff member, and the six students who survived were injured. The passenger who died has been identified as Aleena King, 16, of Tulsa, a student at Webster High School. The patrol said two students were thrown from the Suburban, including the front-seat passenger who died, and the student seated behind her is recovering in stable condition. The patrol said the teacher driving the Suburban had no significant injuries, and the other students left the hospital after treatment Monday night. The patrol said preliminary findings indicate all occupants of both vehicles were using seat belts. Loved ones described King as outgoing and full of energy, and as proud of her Polynesian and Chamorro heritage.

Where the Highway Patrol Response Stands

The turnpike's eastbound lanes were shut, and troopers urged drivers to use another route while they investigated. The crash remains under investigation, and the patrol has said there is no estimated timeline for completing it. The patrol also urged the public not to speculate about what led to the collision. The patrol said the semi-truck driver comes from Barstow, California, and has a valid commercial license. No charges have been filed, and his name has not been released. Tulsa Public Schools said support teams would be at Webster High School starting Tuesday morning. Cognizant Church in west Tulsa planned a community vigil for Wednesday night, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and everyone welcome. Loved ones of the 16-year-old started an online fundraiser to help her family cover the costs of a funeral and memorial service, travel for relatives and other bills. A state representative from Chandler expressed condolences to the Webster community and called for more attention to safety measures along that stretch of the turnpike.