The drive home along Interstate 40 turned into heartbreak in Canadian County early Friday morning after a violent wrong-way crash left four young people dead and another man critically injured, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Authorities said the crash happened around 12:30 a.m. near Czech Hall Road when a vehicle traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes slammed head-on into another car carrying four young passengers. The impact was so severe that one of the vehicles burst into flames moments after the collision.
Troopers identified the victims as 20-year-old Kiercy Hickson of Stillwater, 19-year-old Quincy Jones of El Reno, 18-year-old Haliegh Salazar of El Reno, and 18-year-old Brad Palmer of El Reno. All four were pronounced dead following the crash that shut down Interstate 40 for several hours overnight.
Investigators said Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers had already received emergency calls reporting a vehicle driving the wrong direction on the interstate just moments before the deadly collision happened. Troopers were still heading toward the area when they arrived at the fiery crash scene.
The suspected wrong-way driver was identified as 26-year-old Michael Cruz of Tennessee. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. Authorities said evidence collected at the scene points to alcohol possibly playing a major role in the crash. Troopers reportedly found empty alcohol containers and other signs of impairment inside the suspect vehicle.
The tragedy has shaken families and communities across El Reno and Stillwater. El Reno Public Schools released a heartfelt statement mourning the loss of Quincy Jones, Brad Palmer, and Haliegh Salazar, calling them valued members of the school community whose friendships and personalities touched countless lives.
School officials confirmed Quincy Jones and Brad Palmer were members of the Class of 2026, while Haliegh Salazar belonged to the Class of 2025. Grief counselors and support services have since been made available for students, teachers, close friends, and devastated family members trying to process the sudden loss.
Emergency crews spent more than four hours at the scene extinguishing flames, clearing wreckage, and investigating what led to the deadly crash. Traffic along Interstate 40 eventually reopened later that morning, but the emotional scars left behind are expected to last much longer for the families who lost their loved ones in such a horrific way.
Investigators said the case remains under active investigation, and a complete report will later be turned over to the district attorney’s office as troopers continue working to piece together the final moments leading up to the deadly collision.
