Lincoln County, Oklahoma (December 4, 2025) — A late-night crash on Interstate 44 in Lincoln County claimed the life of Tyler McGurl, a 37-year-old Oklahoma City man, after a semi-trailer struck his disabled vehicle while he waited for help, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Incident Details: The collision occurred around 12:50 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of I-44 near mile marker 159.5, close to Warwick and Wellston. Troopers said McGurl had run out of gas while traveling on the interstate and pulled his car over to the outside lane. After stopping, he contacted police and was waiting for assistance to arrive.
While McGurl remained at the location, an eastbound semi-trailer approached the disabled vehicle. According to the OHP collision report, the truck driver attempted to swerve to avoid McGurl’s car but clipped the rear of it. The impact pushed McGurl’s vehicle into an embankment. The semi-trailer continued traveling a short distance before striking a barrier.
McGurl suffered fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said the truck driver was not seriously injured and is expected to recover.
Investigation: The Oklahoma Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. In crashes involving disabled vehicles on high-speed interstates, investigators typically focus on lane positioning, visibility, and whether adequate warning measures were in place. Late-night conditions can further complicate these situations, as reduced visibility and driver fatigue may limit reaction time.
Investigators are expected to review physical evidence from the scene, including vehicle damage, roadway markings, and the final resting positions of both vehicles, to determine how the crash unfolded. They may also assess whether the disabled vehicle was positioned as safely as possible under the circumstances and whether the approaching truck had sufficient time and space to avoid contact.
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