Family Of Oklahoma Man Killed By Wrong-Way Driver Seeking Answers

A wrong way driver killed Mark Alderman on August 22nd, and his family still doesn't have any answers about how or why it happened.

Tuesday, September 29th 2015, 7:24 pm

By: News On 6


Tulsa police arrested a man overnight they said was driving the wrong way down Interstate 244.

Officers spotted a red pickup truck going east in the westbound lanes near Memorial and were able to get the truck to exit at Mingo and stop.

Justin Beal told police he's from Texas and got turned around by following directions on his phone.

9/29/2015 Related Story: Man Arrested For DUI, Driving Wrong Way On Tulsa Highway

Police said they smelled alcohol and gave Beal a field sobriety test. Officers booked him into jail for DUI and traffic violations.

Another wrong way driver killed Mark Alderman on August 22nd, and his family still doesn't have any answers about how or why it happened.

They said they didn't know if the wrong way driver who hit and killed him had been arrested or charged. They didn’t know if she had a valid driver's license, insurance or was suspected of being under the influence.

Angela Alderman said they just felt like, after her husband’s death, nothing more happened.

“It's hard on our family, not knowing why I lost my Mark and why they lost their daddy. It's hard," she said.

Angela and Mark married 20 years ago, and she said it was the kind of marriage most people wish they had.

She said he was always helping others, and even when he was grumpy, he made people smile.

Angela said, "He was just great, and I know a lot of people say that about someone that's gone, but he truly was."

Mark was an ordained minister and was on his way home from performing a wedding around 9:30 on August 22nd when troopers say Megan Kramer was driving the wrong way on Highway 412 for about five miles when she slammed into Mark, and then another car slammed into her.

8/22/2015 Related Story: Head-On Collision Kills Broken Arrow Man On U.S. 412 Near Creek Turnpike

We've learned Kramer did have a driver's license but did not have insurance.

She remains critically injured and may never recover.

Troopers said they are waiting on her blood test results to know whether she was impaired.

"It makes me so mad that he didn't do anything wrong. He was coming home to me and somebody took him from me," Angela said.

As Mark's family waits, they take comfort in the outpouring of support they've received from family, friends and other motorcyclists who attended his funeral and are still offering tributes.

The district attorney said they cannot file charges against someone who cannot understand the charges or help with their own defense, so Kramer may never be held accountable for Mark's death.

Mark's family knows Kramer's family is suffering too; they just hope the blood test answers the question they most want to know, why? Why was Kramer going the wrong way that night?

A fundraising page has been set up to help the Alderman family. If you'd like to donate you can find more information here.

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