Toddler Dies After Being Ejected From Truck, Struck By 2nd Vehicle Along I-35

A three-year-old girl is dead after a crash along Interstate 35 in northeast Oklahoma City on Sunday, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Troopers say the three-year-old was ejected and hit by another car.

According to OHP, the driver of that second vehicle initially left the scene but Monday was being questioned by investigators.

Troopers are working to answer questions involving both the initial and secondary collisions that unfolded.

Around noon on Sunday, troopers responded to a crash in the southbound lanes of Interstate 35 near Northeast 10th Street. “The driver stated he fell asleep,” said Trooper Preston Cox, OHP.

Troopers said the driver of the pickup, a 28-year-old man from Shawnee told them he dozed off and veered from the interstate. “Departed the roadway left, struck the concrete barrier wall,” said Cox.

The man's passengers included a woman, and his daughters ages one, three, and five.

With only the baby properly restrained, troopers say the toddler was thrown through the truck's rear windshield.

“His truck was northbound, the child was ejected into southbound lanes,” said Cox.

The three-year-old was then hit by a vehicle whose driver, according to troopers, only briefly stopped.

“Witnesses on scene reported the individual who struck that child initially got out, looked, got back in the vehicle and drove away,” said Cox.

Good Samaritans tried to save the child. “Witnesses on the scene did perform life-saving measures,” said Cox.

The little girl died at a hospital. Hours later, troopers say the driver who ran over her called OHP. “[He] stated he had possibly been involved but didn’t believe he struck the child, believed he had struck the car seat, and is cooperating at this time,” said Cox.

While a car seat was found, troopers say the toddler was not properly secured. “This is a heartbreaking event that essentially could have been prevented,” said Cox.

OHP reports show that the second driver was in a Tesla, a vehicle typically equipped with cameras.

Troopers hope to glean critical information from possible footage.