A routine traffic stop turned deadly on the eastbound Turner Turnpike near mile marker 183 in Creek County, close to Stroud, Oklahoma, when an Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) trooper fatally shot a semi-truck driver during a roadside altercation.

The incident occurred on the morning of September 20, 2023. According to officials, the trooper pulled over the truck for a traffic violation. During the stop, the trooper suspected possible criminal activity and called for a K‑9 unit to assist. Upon hearing that a canine team was en route, the truck driver suddenly fled from the trooper’s cruiser and attempted to re-enter the cab of his truck.

A physical struggle broke out on the roadside and continued into the truck’s cab. The trooper later stated that he feared the driver was reaching for a weapon in the door pocket on the driver's side. In response, the trooper discharged his firearm, fatally shooting the driver inside the vehicle.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dashcam footage released later showed the intense struggle between the officer and the driver. The trooper was placed on administrative leave, as per protocol, while the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) launched a full investigation into the shooting.

Creek and Okfuskee County District Attorney Max Cook later concluded that there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges against the trooper, stating that "the use of deadly force was justified based on the available evidence."

The incident has sparked renewed debate around use of force during traffic stops and the risks officers and drivers face during such encounters.

According to KOCO News