OWASSO, Okla. — A 41-year-old Tulsa man was killed Wednesday morning after being struck by a vehicle along southbound U.S. 169 in Owasso. The tragic auto-pedestrian collision prompted a major emergency response and temporarily shut down part of the busy highway.
According to the Owasso Police Department, officers, along with fire and ambulance crews, were dispatched around 10:20 a.m. on March 4, 2026, to the 8700 block of southbound US-169. When responders arrived, they found the pedestrian lying in the southbound lanes. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities later identified the victim as Levi Allen Roper, 41, of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The vehicle involved in the crash had been moved to the center median of the highway and showed front-end damage consistent with an auto-pedestrian collision. Police said the driver was visibly shaken by the incident but did not suffer any physical injuries. As required by state law, the driver was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation and a blood draw.
Detectives with the Owasso Police Department questioned the driver and later released them. At this time, authorities say there is no indication the driver did anything wrong. Investigators continue working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
Owasso Police Collision Reconstructionists and a Drone Team were called to assist with the detailed investigation. Southbound US-169 was closed for more than two hours while crews collected measurements and physical evidence. The crash occurred just inside the northern end of the 55 mph construction zone connected to the US-169 widening project, though officials noted it happened well after the typical morning commute backup.
The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene and took custody of Roper’s remains. Next of kin have been notified. Authorities confirmed that Roper was not a construction or ODOT worker in the area at the time. The investigation remains ongoing as officials continue to gather facts about the fatal collision.
