Bristow Truck Drivers Survive Storm In Their Semi

By Craig Day, The News On 6

UNDATED -- Two truck drivers from Bristow were parked at the Love's truck stop along I-40 that was demolished by Monday's storms.

They rode out the storm in their big rig and say it was terrifying and life changing experience.

As the tornado raced along I-40 in central Oklahoma, Bristow truck drivers Steve Waldrep and his son-in-law Chris Shadow were hauling a load of canned goods.

They quickly found themselves in a load of trouble.

"You're just thinking Lord just let me walk away," Steve Waldrep said.

With the tornado getting closer, Waldrep and Shadow, along with many others, pulled over to find safety at a Love's store, just moments before it took a direct hit.

The two men had to ride out the storm inside the cab of their big rig.

"Next thing I know, the mirror snapped," Chris Shadow said.

"It took out the driver's side window," Waldrep said.

"Antennas were gone off the truck," said Shadow.

"Blew out the windshield," Waldrep said. "Sucked all of the paperwork out of the tractor trailer."

"I was praying," Shadow said.  "A whole lot."

And they thought about their loved ones.

The tornado shook the 80,000 pound truck like it was a tiny toy.

"I know it was probably only a minute, but it seemed like it took forever," Waldrep said.

"I had never, ever been more scared in my life," said Shadow.

The men held onto their seat belts for dear life, as debris flew all around them.

"The funny thing about it was, it left the Pikepass on the dash and a snickers candy bar, but it was trying to pull us through the window," Waldrep said.

Neither one was hurt, but they are forever changed. Along with debris, the twister left behind a path of perspective.

"The old adage, everything is a little sweeter, well yeah," Waldrep said. "It's, I just want to spend a little more time with my family and appreciate things more."

They're thankful to be alive and to be able to tell their story of survival.

"Don't underestimate mother nature," Chris Shadow said. "She's very powerful."

Once the tornado passed, the truck drivers helped people out of the debris at the demolished store.