Semi Driver Airlifted After Rear-Ending Mack Truck On U.S. 75

A Kansas semi driver had to be airlifted on Sunday from a Washington County crash, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports.

A collision report says the two-vehicle wreck took place about 1 p.m. on U.S. Highway 75 just north of County Road 2900 near Ochelata.

Raymond Byrd, 69, of Sedgewyck, Kan., was driving a 2015 Freightliner northbound on U.S. 75 when he rear-ended a 2013 Mack truck, driven by Kent Redd, 40, of Swainsboro, Georgia.

According to the investigating trooper, both trucks were northbound, but Byrd struck Redd's truck as he attempted to make a turn on to private property.

Byrd was pinned for approximately 35 minutes and had to be freed with the Jaws of Life. OHP says he was flown to a Tulsa hospital. His current condition is unknown.

The cause of the crash was inattentive driving, and the Byrd’s condition at the time of the crash was apparently normal, according to OHP.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts, the trooper said.