A wrong-way crash on Interstate 40 near Yukon in the early hours of May 22 left four young people dead and shattered two local high school communities. Authorities say a driver traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes collided head-on with another vehicle shortly after midnight; evidence of alcohol was found at the scene.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) identified the driver of the oncoming vehicle as a 26-year-old man from Memphis, who was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. Troopers say they had received calls about a vehicle traveling the wrong way before the collision and were already responding when the crash occurred near the Czech Hall Road bridge.
According to OHP, the impact ignited one or both vehicles. All four occupants of the second car were pronounced dead at the scene.
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| Name | Age | Hometown | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiercy Hickson | 20 | Stillwater | Driver of the second vehicle; planned to pursue cosmetology in Dallas |
| Quincy Jones | 19 | El Reno | Recent El Reno High School graduate; played wide receiver |
| Brad Palmer | 18 | El Reno | Recent graduate; committed to play football at Langston University |
| Haliegh Renae Salazar | 18 | El Reno | El Reno High School graduate (2025) |
El Reno Public Schools confirmed that Quincy Jones and Brad Palmer had graduated on May 16 and said counseling would be offered to students and staff. School officials asked the community to support grieving classmates and families during the coming days.
Family statements released to local media described the losses in personal terms. Kiercy Hickson’s parents said she had been planning to move to Dallas to advance a cosmetology career and that the family is arranging a celebration of life in Stillwater. Haliegh Salazar’s mother remembered her daughter’s spirited personality and said funeral arrangements were being handled locally.
OHP public information officer Mark Southall said investigators found signs of alcohol use on the wrong-way driver and inside his vehicle. Southall added that law enforcement will coordinate with the Canadian County District Attorney’s office to determine formal charges once the hospital releases the driver.
What authorities say is next:
- The suspected wrong-way driver will be arrested after being medically cleared.
- OHP continues to investigate the crash scene, gather witness statements and review any available video or telemetry.
- The District Attorney will review evidence to decide on criminal charges, including potential DUI-related counts.
Wrong-way collisions are relatively rare but often deadly; the incident has prompted renewed attention from local officials and residents about highway safety late at night. For the families and classmates involved, the immediate priority is mourning and making arrangements, while investigators work to piece together the final sequence of events.
OHP emphasized that the probe remains active and that additional details will be released as they become available. The community has begun organizing support for the victims’ families and for students affected by the sudden deaths.
