Friends Remember Broken Arrow Man Killed In Crash On I-35

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

BROKEN ARROW, OKLAHOMA – Friends and family are mourning the loss of a man caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Broken Arrow native Michael Cummisky, 24, died when the wrecker he had parked on the shoulder of a interstate was struck by another truck Wednesday morning on I-35 north of Perry.

9/29/2010 Related Story: Broken Arrow Man Dies In I-35 Truck Crash In Noble County 

Becky Rodriquez says emails like began pouring in after news of Cummisky's death reached his friends.

The 24-year-old husband and father of two graduated Broken Arrow High School in 2004, and remained close with many of his classmates.

"Our whole world stopped when we found out," Becky Rodriguez said. "Everyone called everyone to make sure we were ok."

Cummisky had driven for Storey Wrecker for two years. Investigators say a flat tire forced him to pull over to the shoulder of I-35 early Wednesday morning. While waiting for help, his truck was hit by a semi.

Cummisky survived the accident, but died in the hospital ten hours later.

"There is no explanation. He's so innocent. He didn't deserve this. His family, his wife, his kids, his friends, his grandma. None of them deserve it," Rodriguez said.

Cummisky went to work at Storey after a stint in the Marines. He recorded a message while serving in Iraq.

"My voice is kind of messed up right now. You know I'm sick or whatever. So I'll see you all when I get home. Take care of the baby. Love you all," he said in the message.

His Facebook page is already filled with condolences from fellow Marines and friends.

Many were looking forward to catching up with the man affectionately known as "Booger" at their high school reunion October 9th. Instead, Becky Rodriquez says they will be there to reminisce about their lost friend.

"Knowing him back then, or knowing him yesterday or just meeting him, he was a great person," she said.

Despite the dangerous nature of the work, Storey Wrecker says Cummisky is only the second driver to be killed on the job in 50 years.

A fund has been set up to help his children. Donations can be made at any Bank Of Oklahoma branch.