A tragic crash in a construction zone in Tulsa claimed the life of a 59-year-old driver Friday afternoon and left a road worker seriously injured. The collision happened along westbound Interstate 44 near the Highway 75 interchange, causing major traffic delays and drawing a large emergency response. Authorities continue to investigate what led to the deadly impact.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the driver who died has been identified as Rex Benson, 59. Troopers said Benson was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred near 33rd West Avenue, just before Exit 223C, in an area marked as an active construction zone with reduced speed limits.
Investigators said a construction service vehicle had pulled onto the shoulder to clear debris from the roadway. Officials noted that the truck’s emergency lights were flashing and its arrow board was activated to warn approaching drivers that it was stopped. Despite those safety measures, Benson’s vehicle struck the rear of the construction truck for reasons that are still under review.
Authorities are working to determine how fast Benson was traveling and whether other factors, such as distraction or road conditions, played a role. The construction zone had a reduced speed limit of 60 miles per hour at the time of the crash. Troopers emphasized that work zones require extra caution, as workers and equipment are often close to active lanes of traffic.
A worker inside the construction truck suffered significant injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials said another passenger inside the truck is expected to recover. The crash caused traffic backups stretching for several miles westbound, at one point reaching past the Arkansas River toward Riverside Drive.
All westbound lanes of Interstate 44 reopened around 1 p.m. Friday after crews cleared the scene. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities gather more details. Meanwhile, the tragic loss of Rex Benson serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers present in construction zones and the importance of slowing down and staying alert behind the wheel.
