Driver In Custody After Fatal I-40 Crash, Investigation Ongoing

A morning commute turns deadly Tuesday morning. A driver was killed after a crash along interstate 40 near Meridian Avenue. This investigation started after the tragic chain of events just before 7:30 a.m. 

OHP said the driver of the FedEx semi, Sam Chitty, was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers said a FedEx semi went up in flames after the three-vehicle crash. 

“When troopers arrived, it was fully engulfed and it was a very intense fire,” said Trooper Eric Foster with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. 

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said Justin Frank was driving recklessly when his white Chevrolet hit the FedEx truck. 

“That vehicle made contact with the trailer, came off of the trailer or truck, struck another car and then hit the trailer again causing the trailer to turn over,” said Foster. 

The semi struck the center concrete barrier and went up in flames. The driver, 64-year-old Sam Chitty was killed. The other driver who was hit was not injured. 

“When you drive recklessly on the roadway. If you cause a crash, cause great bodily injury, or cause a fatality you will be charged. You must take care of everyone else around you and drive lawfully,” said Foster. 

Frank was taken to OU Medical Center to check for injuries before being booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on a manslaughter complaint. 

Investigators said the incident was caught on camera. 

“It helps us to have dash cam of the crash and so we are able to piece together what is going on. We don’t know yet if it was a road rage incident or if it was just someone driving recklessly,” said Foster. 

The investigation is ongoing. They’ll submit their findings to the DA's office.