OHP Seeking More Info On Driver Accused Of Killing Four People On I-40

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is seeking the public's help in the investigation of a crash on Interstate 40 on Saturday that killed four people.

Investigators need information about a possibly impaired driver they have identified as Ashley Ricks, 33, who caused the crash.

Ricks survived the crash and was taken to OU Medical Center where she is in critical condition. Troopers are asking for people who know Ricks to contact OHP if they know what she was doing in the hours that led up to the crash.

The deadly crash shut down Interstate 40 near Country Club Road for several hours Saturday morning. First responders knew it was bad when they heard it was a head-on collision.

“It was hard to take in,” OHP trooper Matthew Rackley said. “To see all that and hope and pray that no on suffered.”

Rackley said when he got to the scene, he knew there would not be survivors in one of the cars.

“The car did burst into flames. The car was crushed pretty good,” Rackley said. “The other vehicle was flipped over on its top.”

The highway patrol’s homicide unit determined Ricks was driving east in the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 when she crashed head-on into another car. That car hit the center median, killing the driver and three passengers. Investigators have not identified the victims but reported there were three adults and a child.

“I believe she was 10-years-old,” Rackley said. “She was transported to the hospital.”

The young victim was pronounced dead at a hospital in El Reno.

Ricks was also taken to the hospital, but OHP investigators have been unable to speak to her.

Authorities are looking into the possibility that Ricks was impaired. They think her family or friends may have information that could aid in their investigation.

“The 911 calls show that she was traveling on I-40 in the east, going east in the westbound lanes for about 10 miles,” Rackley said.

Investigators are waiting for the state medical examiner to identify the four victims.