Deadly Month On OK Highways

It's been a deadly month on Oklahoma highways. In fact, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports more deaths already this month than all of July last year. News On 6's Dan Bewley reports OHP noticed two drastically different scenario's this holiday weekend. There were more deaths on the highways despite fewer travelers.

Saturday evening at 5:15 on the Creek Turnpike, a one-year-old boy was thrown from an SUV and killed. Investigators say the McAlester toddler wasn't strapped in his car seat.

Earlier in the day on Saturday, a motorcyclist was thrown 50 yards after being rear-ended on the IDL. Investigators say he suffered major injuries.

Then on Sunday morning, two Seminole men died in a head-on collision after a 26-year-old driver went the wrong way on I-40.

"We've seen all types of collisions," said Trooper Shiloh Hall with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Trooper Shiloh Hall is just one of many state troopers on patrol this weekend. He says it's been all hands on deck for the holiday.

"A lot of people are coming from the lakes or coming from family get-togethers and been drinking and driving. We're coming across a lot of drunken drivers," said Trooper Hall.

Eleven deaths have been reported across the state already in July. That's two more than the entire month of July a year ago. But, an explanation isn't easy; Trooper Hall says OHP has noticed the roads are not as crowded this year.

"I don't know if it's due to gas prices, but I do know that traffic has slowed down somewhat. It's not like a typical holiday, it's like a typical weekend," said Trooper Hall.

AAA says you can blame the gas prices. While they expect only a 2% decrease in travelers, that's 550,000 fewer Americans on the road.

Fewer drivers or not, Trooper Hall says the highway can be a dangerous place and hopes motorists heed caution when behind the wheel.

There was another accident on Sunday afternoon captured by The News On 6 SkyCam Network. Police say the driver of the car was not paying attention, clipped another car, and then rolled. Two people were taken to the hospital.

Police are still looking for the driver of the car that hit the motorcyclist on Saturday morning.