Missouri Man Killed Changing Tire On Shoulder Of Will Rogers Turnpike

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said a Springfield, Missouri man changing his vehicle's tire on the side of the Will Rogers Turnpike was killed early Friday.

Troopers said the incident occurred west of the Afton exit in the eastbound lanes just before 8 a.m.

In the OHP report, Terrence Luxton, 54, of Springfield, Missouri was legally parked on the eastbound shoulder of the turnpike changing the front left tire of his vehicle when the rear tires of a passing semi came off its trailer and one of the tires struck Luxton. The other tire came to rest against the center barrier. Luxton was pronounced dead at the scene.

Troopers said the semi driven by Rebecca Leja of Manton, Michigan and a passenger were not injured.

The OHP report stated the incident occurred because of an "unsafe vehicle wheel."