Outside Eastbound Lane Of I-44 Turner Turnpike To Remain Closed

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- One lane of eastbound I-44 Turner Turnpike will remain closed for several days while crews try to repair the damage caused by a semi crash Tuesday morning.

The driver of the semi fell asleep around 6:15 a.m. near Wellston.  The truck flipped and crashed into the guard rail, spilling grease all over the eastbound lanes.  Jack Damrill of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority said although the crash destroyed several feet of guard rail, the metal barrier ultimately saved the driver's life.

The driver of the semi suffered only a minor injury to his hand.

One eastbound lane has reopened, but Damrill said the outside lane and shoulder will be closed until Friday afternoon while crews repair the damage from the wreck. 

Damrill said crews must remove the asphalt that was covered by grease and relay it.  That process will take several days.