Part Of I-40 Shut Down After Deadly Accident Near Davis

HARRAH, Okla. (AP) -- Officials closed a portion of Interstate 40 after a crossover accident left a Davis man dead.<br/><br/>The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says a pickup truck driven by Randy Jay Caldwell

Monday, September 25th 2006, 6:05 am

By: News On 6

HARRAH, Okla. (AP) -- Officials closed a portion of Interstate 40 after a crossover accident left a Davis man dead.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says a pickup truck driven by Randy Jay Caldwell was headed west on I-40 near Harrah when the right rear tire blew out, causing Caldwell to lose control about 12:40 PM Sunday. Troopers say the truck crossed the median and into the path of a semi and the two collided.

The patrol says officials shut down both eastbound lanes of the interstate and diverted traffic onto Harrah-Newalla Road. The lanes eventually were reopened.

The 28-year-old Caldwell and his passenger, 26-year-old Michelle Connor, were trapped in the wreckage for 10 minutes before Shawnee medics freed them.

Caldwell suffered massive trauma and died at the scene of the accident.

The patrol says Connor, also of Davis, was flown by medical helicopter to OU Medical Center, where she was listed in serious condition.