Missouri Injury Attorney Blog

An 18-wheeler accident on I-44 in the northeast corner of Oklahoma on June 26, 2009, leaves 10 people dead and numerous others injured.

According to a June 28 article from the Associated Press, the driver of an 18-wheeler truck, Donald Creed, 76, of Willard, MO, failed to slow down for a previous accident that had traffic lined up on the Will Rogers Turnpike near mile marker 321. The semi-truck collided with several cars, which then caused a chain reaction where seven cars were either damaged or destroyed. Creed’s truck came to a rest on top of three vehicles.

One of the vehicles involved in this I-44 18-wheeler accident was that of the Hayes family, who were traveling to a funeral in Missouri. Randal Hayes, 38, Shelby Hayes, 35, and Ethan Hayes, 7, all of Frisco, TX, died as a result of the crash on that Friday afternoon. Shelby’s mother, Cynthia Olson, 55, of Crossroads, TX, also died in the wreck caused by the truck.

Other victims included Oral Hooks, 69, Earlene Hooks, 63, Antonio Hooks, 42, and Dione Hooks, 41, all of Oklahoma City, OK. The Hooks family was headed to Missouri to visit Ronnie Hooks. "They were on their way to see me in St. Louis," Hooks said. "I was to be ordained as an elder in the Church of God and Christ."

Ricardo Reyes, 39, and Ernestina Reyes of Phoenix, AZ perished in the crash, as well. Their daughter, Andrea Reyes, 12, was taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO and is in serious condition.

My heart goes out to all of the families involved in this accident. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Alcohol was not involved in this accident, but an initial Oklahoma Highway Patrol report stated that Creed was traveling at an unsafe speed for the traffic conditions. Families in which loved ones have perished or suffered personal injuries due to an 18-wheeler accident, like this one, would be well-advised to retain the services of experienced Missouri 18-wheeler accident attorney, David Payne. David Payne Law will help determine the facts of the case, identify the negligent parties, and attempt to hold them responsible.

Where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased traffic accident victims are able to file a wrongful death claim. Such a claim compensates the victim’s families for the death of their loved one that may have been caused by the negligence of another party.

Contact David Payne at 417.847.7516 for a free, no obligation consultation. David will outline your legal rights and the options you have regarding your claim.