The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is asking for help from the public in locating a vehicle that lost a wheel assembly and triggered a series of deadly crashes along I-40 in Oklahoma City early this morning.
The crashes were reported to Oklahoma troopers around 4:50 a.m. on Monday, October 29, Â on I-40 between Portland Avenue and MacArthur Avenue, according to a release from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
When police arrived on scene, they found that four vehicles had been struck by what was described as a commercial vehicle wheels assembly.
Troopers found a female dead inside a pickup truck on eastbound I-40. Because the pickup sustained heavy damage to the windshield, authorities believe that it was struck by an airborne CMV wheels assembly. Authorities believe that the woman died instantly.
#UPDATE: Just made it to the fatality wreck at I-40 and Meridian. This is on the EB inside shoulder. The pick up is crumbled, looks possibly charred. OHP is still out here investigating. @kfor pic.twitter.com/z4hMDYoEIt
— Jessica Bruno (@JbrunoKFOR) October 29, 2018
Police also found a white SUV overturned on the shoulder of eastbound I-40 and a BMW with serious front damage in the westbound lanes of I-40.
MORE: This is the wreck at I-40 & MacArthur. As you can see, a car flipped over the edge of the highway and is toppled over on its side. Waiting on official information. @kfor pic.twitter.com/Wo3AQ1tMfi
— Jessica Bruno (@JbrunoKFOR) October 29, 2018
Additionally, Oklahoma troopers say that a 5 axle truck passing under I-40 on MacArthur Avenue was hit by the CMV wheels assembly.
Oklahoma troopers say that the commercial motor vehicle driver may not know that they lost a tire and caused the crashes.
#BREAKING: OHP officials believe all four wrecks on I-40 are connected. They believe a tire and rim from a commercial vehicle hit four vehicles between MacArthur and Meridian, killing one person at Meridian. Here is a portion of the interview with authorities: ⤵️⬇️ @kfor pic.twitter.com/142qs00x6g
— Jessica Bruno (@JbrunoKFOR) October 29, 2018
Troopers are asking for witnesses to the crashes or to the wheel assembly coming off of the CMV to come forward. They are also asking local business owners to check security footage for any clues that could help them locate the CMV and its driver. If you have information, you may call the Oklahoma Highway Patrol at 405-425-2323.