2 Killed In Early Morning Semi Crash On I-44 Near Catoosa

A semi crash early Wednesday killed two people on I-44 near Catoosa.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports a UPS semi, towing three trailers, stalled in the middle lane of I-44 at 177th East Avenue.

A second semi hit it from behind, veered to the side, and caught fire.

The driver of the second semi, and passenger, were killed.

OHP identified the UPS truck driver as Thomas Hawkins, age 53, of Moore. He was not injured in the 3:30 am crash.

OHP Lt. Mark Southall said the UPS truck driver reported his air brakes locked and he could not move the truck.

Surveillance footage from a nearby business shows the crash and subsequent fire.

The Tulsa Fire Department responded, but without hydrants near the crash, resorted to using a ladder truck to extinguish the fire.

The crash blocked all lanes of I-44 eastbound for almost 8 hours. “When you have a crash that encompasses all lanes of I-44, the widest interstate we have, it's a big crash scene. There's a lot of investigative work to be done,” said Lt. Southall.

According to OHP, the truck that burned was hauling garage door panels, and the UPS truck was filled with packages.