ONG Issues Statement After Stolen Service Truck Used In Deadly Tulsa Crash

Oklahoma Natural Gas said it is cooperating with law enforcement after a man who stole one of its trucks and killed another driver in a police pursuit.

It issued the following release Wednesday morning, May 24:

"First and foremost, we want to extend thoughts and prayers for the victim and the families affected by this tragic situation.
Oklahoma Natural Gas received a call early this morning from law enforcement informing us that one of our trucks, which was at an off-site garage for repair, was stolen by an individual who then led police on a high-speed chase.
We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as this investigation continues."

Police said a man stole the truck from Rush Trucking - a company that repairs large trucks - around 5:40 a.m. Sapulpa Police gave chase but backed off when the pursuit became dangerous.

5/24/2017 Related Story: OHP: Truck Thief Threatened Loaded Airliner Before Causing Deadly Tulsa Crash

Oklahoma Highway Patrol took over and followed the truck into Tulsa on Interstate 44. The man drove the stolen truck onto an active runway at the Tulsa International Airport before crashing through a fence and hitting a car head-on, killing the other driver. That driver has not been identified.

OHP said the trooper continued the chase because he felt the suspect was endangering commercial aircraft at the airport.

Cherokee Ballard, an ONG spokesperson, said some of the utility's service trucks have cameras, but she doesn't believe the stolen vehicle is one of those trucks. 

Law enforcement continues to search for the suspect who ran from the fatal crash scene at Highway 75 and Ute. He's described as a heavyset white male in his 20s with shoulder length hair. When last seen he was wearing a red OU hoodie and blue shorts or pants.