OHP troopers injured
Troopers were escorting the body of Tulsa police officer Craig Johnson
Three troopers in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Motorcycle Division were injured Thursday along the Kilpatrick Turnpike in a collision during a procession for a fallen Tulsa police officer.
The collision with a silver SUV occurred along westbound Kilpatrick Turnpike, east of Broadway, during a procession for Tulsa Police
Sgt. Craig Johnson, a 15-year veteran of the department who died Tuesday from gunshot wounds he suffered during a traffic stop early Monday.
The troopers involved in the collision were identified by OHP as Rocky Barnes, a 22-year veteran of the patrol; Steve Eason, an 18-year veteran of the patrol; and Ron Watson, a 30-year veteran for OHP.
Two of the troopers later were released from the hospital. The third officer remained hospitalized. OHP authorities did not describe the nature of the hospitalized officer's injuries, but did say he was expected to recover.
Oklahoma City police and Tulsa police confirmed no officers from their departments were injured in the crash.
Authorities said the female driver of the silver SUV involved in the collision was interviewed at the scene and released.
“We're still working
on the details of what happened,” OHP spokeswoman Sarah Stewart told The Oklahoman.
Elected leaders around the state immediately expressed their sympathies over the accident.
“I ask Oklahomans to join the First Lady and me in praying for the recovery of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers who were injured, for their families and for all those affected by this terrible accident,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a news release.
“It is always difficult to receive news of first responders being injured in the line of duty, but it is especially heartbreaking to learn this incident happened during the procession for an officer who was senselessly murdered while protecting his community.”
On Twitter, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt called for prayer for the troopers and Johnson's family.
“This tragic event compounds what has already been a tough week,” he tweeted.
Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, House Majority Leader Jon
Echols, R- OKC, and House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, released a joint statement:
“There are moments when the policy differences of this body are cast aside and we come together for a larger purpose. Today, the House stands united in support of the OHP and Tulsa Police Department communities. As these Troopers fight for their lives, we lift them up in prayer and hope to see a quick recovery from this awful tragedy.”