Wrong-way driver kills four in I-40 crash

YUKON, Okla. (KFOR) — Four lives were tragically lost Friday morning after a wrong-way driver hit their car head-on. “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,” Lieutenant Mark Southall with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Remnants of the deadly crash still mark the road on Friday afternoon. 20-year-old Kiercy Hickson, 19-year-old Quincy Jones, 18-year-old Haliegh Salazar, 18-year-old Brad Palmer were killed in the crash. Dash camera footage captured the truck driving the wrong way moments before the crash. The wrong-way driver was allegedly under the influence. “He's currently in the hospital. Once he's released from the hospital, he will be placed under arrest to face charges for this,” said Lt. Southall. 4 Warn Storm Tracker Aric Dickson narrowly avoided the wrong-way driver, too, capturing this video of the fiery crash. Haliegh, Quincy, and Brad went to El Reno High School. “All three students have been in our school district since they were very young, and have just been known by all of our staff and students, and are going to be dearly missed,” said Julie Huber, the Associate Superintendent for El Reno Public Schools. Haliegh graduated in 2025, and Quincy and Brad graduated this past Saturday. “We’re just for god’s healing and comfort at this time, and not only for the family but for our staff and student who knew these three individuals as well,” said Huber. Huber knew these students almost from the beginning of their lives. “I was actually a principal at our first and second grade buildings years ago and had these students come through at that time,” said Huber. “It’s just tough for everybody who knew them.” Each of them were just getting started with their lives. All taken too soon. “What we tell people is that driving under the influence is a choice. It's never been easier to get a ride home than it is right now,” said Lt. Southall. “Driving under the influence of alcohol or any type of drug that impairs your judgment is completely unacceptable, and in this case, it has changed the lives of four individuals and their families, and for that, it's totally unacceptable.” The wrong-way driver is identified as 26-year-old Michael Salomon Rosario-Cruz. The family of Haliegh Salazar has a GoFundMe set up.