Multiple-Vehicle Pileup Near Downtown OKC Leaves At Least 5 People Injured

City crews cleared the roadway for several hours after a multi-vehicle crash happened Monday morning. It involved more than 20 cars near Interstate 40 and Oklahoma City Boulevard.

Fire crews said five people were taken to the hospital and at least one person had serious injuries. The bridge reopened shortly after 1 p.m. Monday.

“All the cars are just in different directions,” said Benny Fulkerson, Oklahoma City fire battalion chief. “Right up to each other, that’s how it was up on this overpass.”

The crash happened just after 8 a.m. Monday. Firefighters said nearly 30 cars were involved and they were stacked up, forcing crews to go over and around each car to help people get to safety.

“We ended up having to remove some windshields from some of the vehicles,” said Fulkerson. “We had to utilize their hatchbacks, we had to pop some doors.”

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said other drivers even stepped in to help.

“People in Oklahoma do care for each other, and it’s good to see people rendering aid,” OHP trooper Eric Foster said.

Fulkerson said they’ve worked more than 50 accidents so far Monday and the calls started coming in around 6 a.m.

“Working a vehicle accident on a busy roadway and then if you add ice to that equation, that’s one of the most dangerous things we’ll ever do,” he said.

Officials warn everyone that if you do get out when roads are icy, to drive slowly.