Cattle On Loose On Westbound I-44 At 145th East Avenue

About 25 cattle were on the loose after a semi truck rolled over on westbound Interstate 44 at 145th East Avenue early Monday. The wreck impacted the morning commute and other traffic heading toward Tulsa from the east.

The truck rolled during a period of heavy rain around 3:40 a.m., according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers say wet roads and speed contributed to the wreck.

Both lanes of Interstate 44 reopened around 8 a.m., but Oklahoma Highway Patrol recommends avoiding the area if possible. Traffic on the Will Rogers was diverted to the Creek Turnpike through 9 a.m. due to help relieve the congestion, OHP said.

"The idea behind that is to let local traffic through during the rush hour," Trooper Dwight Durant said.

A wrecker is on scene and will pull the truck out of the ditch after the remaining cattle have been removed. Meanwhile, an unknown number of cattle made it across the highway.

One woman called News On 6 to say her neighbor herded five cattle into their backyard to keep them safe. Some are being held at a nearby church, Durant said. Local police departments will be helping collect the cattle, according to OHP.

The driver was not injured. Trooper Dwight Durant said about 90 head of cattle were trapped. The truck was carrying around 105, he said.

The truck rolled around 3:43 a.m., authorities said.