Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Planned To Bill Soldier's Family For Funeral Procession

NewsOn6.com

UNDATED - Oklahoma turnpikes nearly put a snag in a plan to bury a Texas soldier at Fort Sill.

Private First Class Cody Board died when a roadside bomb exploded in Afghanistan. His family wanted to bury him at Fort Sill, but the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority wouldn't waive the fees for the procession.

It says it wouldn't stop each car and patriot rider, but would bill the family for an estimated $400.

The Turnpike Authority said state law prevents it from waiving tolls.

"When I heard about it I wasn't that worried about it, I understand there's bureaucracies to go through," said Chris Board, Cody's father.

But according to a Dallas television station, the Patriot Guard stepped in and pressured the OTA to make an exception.

In the end, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority chairman decided to pay the bill himself.

Board's funeral will take place in McKinney, Texas on Saturday, October 16th.  He'll then be laid to rest at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma.

According to his obituary, Board's maternal grandfather lives in Grove, Oklahoma.