Semi truck driver arrested following hit and run that killed tow driver in Oklahoma

Authorities are investigating a crash that claimed the life of a tow truck driver who was assisting a motorist in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on Tuesday.

The crash occurred around 9:30 p.m. on March 28 as tow operator Kyle McCullough, 27, was assisting a motorist on I-40 at mile marker 190 near Earlsboro.

Authorities say that McCullough was struck by a semi truck and died at the scene.

McCullough’s girlfriend was inside the wrecker when the fatal crash occurred.

The truck driver left the scene but was stopped by deputies with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office about four miles from the crash site, according to KOCO.

California-based truck truck driver Shengjie Li was arrested for leaving the scene of a fatal crash, according to KFOR. He was issued a $100,000 bond and later was released on bail.

Bryan Albrecht with the Oklahoma Wrecker Owners Association provided more detail on the fatal crash.

“Kyle was a operator for Sooner Wrecker Service in McLoud, OK and had been with the company for about 2 years. According to the information received from OHP, the operator was on a owner requested tow and had loaded the disabled vehicle on his rollback. He was on the drivers side of his truck either securing something or walking back to the cab when he was struck by a passing semi tractor-trailer. Witnesses say the CMV driver did stop about a quarter mile down the road but then got back in their vehicle and drove away. He was stopped by a Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Deputy a short distance later and was arrested for “Leaving the scene of an accident.” Other charges may be pending but because of the ongoing investigation by OHP no further details were given,” Albrecht said.

McCullough leaves behind two young children.