Tulsa — Rex Benson, 59, died Friday morning when his car slammed into the back of a construction truck stopped on westbound Interstate 44 near the Highway 75 interchange, authorities said. The crash happened in an active work zone where traffic was slowed and crews were clearing debris from the roadway.
Witnesses said the construction truck had its lights flashing and an arrow board activated to warn drivers. Benson’s vehicle struck the rear of the truck just before Exit 223C near 33rd West Avenue. Emergency responders pronounced Benson dead at the scene. The impact also seriously injured a worker inside the construction vehicle, who was taken to a hospital for treatment. A passenger in the truck was expected to be all right.
Troopers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said it remains unclear why Benson’s car hit the truck. Officials were still investigating how fast Benson was traveling and what might have contributed to the crash. The construction zone had a reduced speed limit of 60 mph, but those details were still part of the probe.
The collision snarled traffic for miles, backing up westbound lanes past the Arkansas River toward Riverside Drive. At one point all lanes were closed as crews worked the scene. By about early afternoon, all westbound lanes of I‑44 had reopened.
Friends and family described Benson as a quiet person who loved his community and was well known in local circles. The suddenness of his death left neighbors in shock. Many who travel I‑44 daily said Friday’s crash was a stark reminder of how dangerous work zones can be when flashing lights and warnings go unnoticed.
Investigators urged drivers to slow down and pay attention in construction zones. The work area where Benson died was part of ongoing improvements to the busy interchange between I‑44 and Highway 75, a spot long known for congestion and frequent delays. For now, troopers continue to piece together what led to this tragic collision.
