ODOT Worker Killed In Work Zone North Of Ramona Identified

The OHP has identified an Oklahoma Department of Transportation employee hit and killed by a car on U.S. Highway 75 just north of Ramona.

The victim was Ira Lee Henderson, 42, of Bartlesville. 

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and ODOT are investigating the incident that occurred just after 8 a.m. Wednesday about a mile north of Ramona. 

A source tells us the driver, 18-year-old Deven Franklin of Skiatook, was diabetic and his blood sugar was extremely high just after the accident. He also has a record of prior arrests for speeding, drug possession and burglary.

Witnesses say Franklin did not slow down going into the work zone, even though several dump trucks with flashing lights were in the left lane.  

They say the car that hit Henderson just missed the trucks.

Troopers were mapping out the scene to better determine what happened, but they say Franklin had a medical issue that may have impaired his ability to drive.

Regardless of why, they're certain the car was moving at high speed, possibly 70 miles an hour, through a one-lane work zone.

The incident happened on a flat and straight section of the road, and it was marked. Employees had signs on both sides of the road.

Henderson was in the center of the road when he was hit. Troopers say that portion of the road was closed, but for some reason Franklin's car came right through the work zone anyway.

Randle White is the division engineer for ODOT. While he didn't know the worker who died personally, he said it's still a very personal loss.

"It's very unfortunate, it's very sad. Our hearts go out to the family who has lost a loved one," White said.

No tickets were issued at the scene, but the driver, Deven Franklin, was hospitalized and later released.

Ira Henderson was the 54th ODOT road worker killed on the job in state history. The last time it happened in Tulsa was in 2007.