Bixby Man Dies In Turner Turnpike Accident

WELLSTON, Okla. (AP) -- A Bixby man dies early today after his pickup collides with a tractor-trailer along Interstate 44 near Wellston.<br/><br/>The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says 35-year-old Michael Allen

Saturday, May 12th 2007, 2:00 pm

By: News On 6

WELLSTON, Okla. (AP) -- A Bixby man dies early today after his pickup collides with a tractor-trailer along Interstate 44 near Wellston.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says 35-year-old Michael Allen Brownson was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of traffic on I-44 about 12:45 a.m. when the accident happened.

Troopers say Brownson's truck was struck head-on by an eastbound tractor-trailer driven by 29-year-old Shellie L. Castro of Hurst, Texas. The impact ejected Brownson and he was thrown about 120 feet into the westbound lanes of traffic.

Brownson died at the scene. Castro and a passenger were treated and released with minor injuries.

A third vehicle, also eastbound, did not hit either the truck or the tractor-trailer but became disabled after it ran over debris in the roadway. The driver of that vehicle was not injured.

The accident caused authorities to close the highway for more than two hours.