Trooper, Woman and Child Killed in Oklahoma Multi-Vehicle Crash

An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, a young woman, and a 4-year-old child were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on April 8, 2026, on Interstate 35 in Oklahoma City.

The crash occurred around 11:27 a.m. On the interstate between Britain Road and Hefner Road. The incident forced the closure of both northbound and southbound lanes of I-35 for several hours.

Investigation into Cause of Crash

Authorities believe the deadly sequence of events was triggered by debris falling from a commercial motor vehicle. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a commercial vehicle lost a load, piece of equipment, or other debris onto the roadway, causing traffic to slow.

Investigators stated that a small SUV traveling southbound contained a mother and her 4-year-old child. The driver attempted to swerve to avoid the debris or slowing traffic, causing the vehicle to lose control and cross through the center median guard cable.

The SUV then struck a patrol vehicle head-on. The trooper was traveling northbound at the time of the collision.

Victims Identified

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol identified the deceased officer as Trooper Vernon Brake. Trooper Brake was a veteran member of the agency who would have reached his 20-year anniversary with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol later in 2026.

Trooper Brake is survived by his wife and two sons. The identities of the young woman and the 4-year-old child killed in the crash have not yet been released.

Mark Southall of the OHP stated that the department is heartbroken and is focusing on supporting the trooper’s family.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is currently seeking to identify the commercial vehicle that lost the debris, noting that locating the vehicle is critical to the ongoing investigation.