OK Lawmaker: Driver Was Updating Social Media When He Crashed Into Troopers

The man who crashed into two Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers responding to an accident was updating social media while driving, according to State Rep. Mike Christian. 

Friday, February 13th 2015, 8:12 am

By: News 9


The man who crashed into two Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers responding to an accident was updating social media while driving, according to State Rep. Mike Christian.

Christian proposes House Bill 1965, aimed at making it illegal in Oklahoma to text , email or use instant messaging while driving, be named after OHP Troopers Nicholas Dees and Keith Burch.

Dees was killed while responding to a jackknifed semitrailer on I-40 in Shawnee on January 31. Rep. Christian hand delivered a copy of the proposed bill change to OHP Trooper Keith Burch. He was also injured and is hospitalized.

2/6/2015 Related Story: OHP Arrests Driver Involved In Crash That Killed Trooper

Representative Christian said he learned the accident was caused because the driver, Steven Clark, was updating his social media page while he was driving.

2/1/2015 Related Story: Oklahoma Authorities Honor Trooper Who Died In The Line Of Duty

Clark was charged with first-degree manslaughter.

House Bill 1965 passed unanimously in a House Committee on Wednesday and will be presented to the House floor.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

February 13th, 2015

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024