Police Chase Ends In Tulsa Wrong-Way Crash On Highway 169

A police chase ended when the driver went southbound on northbound Highway 169, causing a wreck near 55th Street South.

The collision took place a little after 1 p.m. Monday. Police said they were chasing the driver because he was wanted for meth-related offenses.

A witness said police were chasing an SUV when it crashed head-on into a minivan. EMSA reports three ambulances responded to transport the injured, two in serious condition, two in fair condition.

Witness Omar Alhakiem said he saw the SUV driving the wrong way on 169 trying to escape police. He said a middle-aged man was behind the wheel and a female passenger was with him. He said he was working on the side of the highway and barely missed getting hit when the two vehicles crashed.

"Right in front of me," he said. "I mean, that SUV was coming at us and he just barely missed us."

An officer at the scene said the driver was wanted for a methamphetamine offense, and detectives had been searching for him. They believe he may have thrown a bag of meth out of the vehicle window during the chase.

Police took the man into custody as he was transported to the hospital. He may have had a broken hip, the officer said.

Paramedics took the woman riding in the SUV with the suspect to the hospital. She was conscious and talking to emergency personnel.

There were two people in the mini-van, a man and woman. We're told one of them had a broken leg.

Both lanes of northbound Highway 169 were reopened around 2:30 p.m.