Man Dies In Will Rogers Turnpike Crash East Of Claremore

At least one lane of westbound Will Rogers Turnpike in Mayes County was closed for several hours Thursday morning because of a fatality crash.

The crash happened about 10 miles northeast of the Claremore exit.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says a westbound van struck the rear of semi tractor trailer shortly after 4:45 a.m. The van's driver, 56-year-old Steve Shields of Mannford was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the semi, 65-year-old Kazimrz Nienaltowski of Ridgewood, New York was not injured.  

Troopers closed down the shoulder and one outside lane so the Diamond Head Volunteer Fire Department could get Shield's body out of the van.  

The OHP says they don't know why Shield's van struck the rear of the trailer.

All westbound lanes of the turnpike have since been re-opened to traffic.