OHP details deadly wrong-way collision on I-40 and Czech Hall Road, claiming four lives

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - On Wednesday, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) gave an update on the investigation into the fatal car crash on I-40 and Czech Hall Road, that claimed the lives of four people. Police say the fatal collision happened on May 5, 2026, in the early morning hours. Troopers responded to the crash on I-40 and Czech Hall Road, and the on-scene troopers say a vehicle was going westbound in the eastbound inside lanes of I-40 when it collided with another vehicle, killing all four occupants in the vehicle it struck going the wrong way. “About 12:30 a.m., a vehicle was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-40 near Czech Hall Road. At some point, a collision happened there," said Lieutenant Mark Southall with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The wrong-way driver and suspect is identified as 26-year-old Michael Salomon Rosario-Cruz. According to OHP, the suspect was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Investigators on scene say there were signs of the driver being impaired, including open containers of alcohol inside the vehicle Cruz was driving. Chief Joe Williams with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol says troopers have zero tolerance for impaired drivers on public roads. 20-year-old Kiercy Hickson, 19-year-old Quincy Jones, 18-year-old Haliegh Salazar, and 18-year-old Brad Palmer were killed in the crash. Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Tipton says he considers this incident intentional. "We refer to these as collisions or accidents. This isn't an accident. This is a murder of our young kids. Three of them just graduated the week before from high school. This is an intentional act. This defendant is this case made the decision, intentional decision to go and drink at a local bar/restaurant, then get on the interstate so impaired that he got going the wrong direction in a large vehicle truck. I consider this an intentional act." Commissioner Tipton goes on to say that the defendant Cruz is not a legal citizen of the United States. "He entered the country and, in 2015, was given DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status. DACA is not an immigration status. DACA is not a law. DACA is an executive order by the Biden administration to defer taking action on removing somebody who entered the country illegally because they are a minor. He got a work authorization permit at that time, living and working under that status." According to the commissioner, Cruz was also found with a firearm in the vehicle, additionally citing, "not sure how he got a gun having a DACA status, a work authorization, and a valid driver's license out of the State of Tennessee." Adding, Cruz is a resident of Memphis, Tennessee, and was working in Oklahoma. Cruz faces four counts of second-degree murder, felony DUI, and possession of a firearm while in the commission of a felony. GoFundMe accounts have been set up to help cover funeral expenses for the victims. *This story is developing.