Logan County, Okla. — A search is currently underway for the driver of a vehicle pulling a trailer on northbound I-35 after a tragic accident left a young man dead on Tuesday afternoon. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), the incident occurred around 3 p.m. near Industrial Road when a tire detached from the trailer being pulled by the unidentified driver. The tire bounced across the median and struck the windshield of a passing vehicle, causing a fatal crash.
The victim has been identified as 19-year-old Josh Hicks, a freshman at Kansas State University. Hicks was on his way to visit family during spring break when the tire struck his vehicle, leading to the fatal collision. His family described him as a young man who was deeply committed to his faith and had a strong love for his family.
Mark Southall, a spokesperson for the OHP, expressed the gravity of the situation, calling it “the worst-case scenario.” Investigators believe that the driver of the trailer may not have realized that the tire was missing and that the incident may have been caused by a tandem-axle utility trailer, where the loss of a single tire could go unnoticed until the vehicle is stopped.
“We’re hoping that someone who witnessed the incident or saw a vehicle with a trailer missing a tire will come forward with information that could help,” Southall said. “We’re also looking at nearby cameras and Flock cameras in the city to try to piece together more details.”
As the investigation continues, the OHP is urging anyone who might have seen anything suspicious or related to the incident to reach out with any tips that could aid in locating the driver of the trailer.
The community and loved ones of Josh Hicks are grieving this heartbreaking loss. His family, still in shock from the tragedy, hopes for answers as they mourn the untimely death of their son.
