Driver Causes Mayhem Along 11-Mile Stretch Of I-40

Jamie Oberg, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – Police were still trying to figure out why a woman traveling 70-80 miles per hour on I-40 near S.E. 29th and Air Depot would crash into several motorists Saturday evening.

Police said 9-1-1 operators were flooded with calls shortly after 7 p.m. from drivers reporting a red Toyota which was causing multiple accidents along I-40.

Many drivers did not make it to their destinations on time, and one couple said they were happy just to make it off the highway at all.

"I told my wife, ‘Brace yourself, she's gonna hit us!'" said Dewey Wren. "About that time smack, she hit us."

Jeanne Smoker said she repeatedly told the 9-1-1 operator, "She's crazy! Get her off the road, she's gonna hurt somebody," as she watched a woman hit cars along the highway.

Troopers are investigating why the woman would ram cars as she traveled more than 11 miles before they could stop her.

"She was determined to hit anyone she could," Wren said.

"I saw her increase her speed and I tried to get away and that's when she hit us," Dan Smoker said.

After being hit, several drivers followed the woman and even tried to stop her before she killed someone.

Trooper Gary Hightower attempted a TVI maneuver to try and spin the car off the highway, but even that didn't stop the driver from hitting the gas again. He said she then entered the highway going the wrong way at speeds of 70-80 miles an hour.

"They stopped her right there and when they pulled in front of her vehicle, she rammed the county sheriff," Dale Matherly said.

Troopers say the woman was taken to Midwest Regional Hospital to get checked out, They were not sure of charges she may face.

Troopers investigated multiple accidents along the highway.

No injuries were reported.