A Tulsa motorist died in a rainstorm, last Tuesday, around sunset. The scenario seems so easy to happen to anyone. His vehicle hydroplaned and left the highway, and landed in a stormwater channel that was 15' - 20' ft. deep.
Tulsa citizens found his body and vehicle the next day, It was swept over a mile away. Public safety officials emphasize that motorists should only drive at speeds that road conditions warrant. The problem for many drivers is that they are not aware of just how quickly the safe roads can become deadly. It appears that Hwy 51 (Broken Arrow Expressway) no longer has the drainage it used to have. When the Highway dept. added a 3rd & 4th lane where there used to be a center median ditch. Because of shortcuts like ignoring stormwater runoff capacity, motorists should always reduce speeds in times of precipitation, but especially when driving toward the bottom of slopes in the roads. Hwy dept engineers should also reassess their decisions about guard rails and cables. This creek was not visible to east-bound motorists and has no guard rails or even a sign marker. |
The Oklahoma Republican Party reloaded with brand new leaders at the top of the organization. The former chair of Tulsa County Republicans, David McLain, received overwhelming support on the first ballot in a field of 3 candidates. The convention body of nearly 1000 delegates gave 70% support to McLain, followed by 22% for Oklahoma County former Chair, Daren Ward; and 8% for Darren Gantz of the Tulsa County Republican Mens Club. Vice Chair Michael Turner is a former state legislator who also worked several states for the Trump 2016 campaign. He led the first round balloting, followed by Kyletta Ray, then John Roberts. In the final balloting, Turner enjoyed 53% support, to Ray's 47%. They take office immediately and plan to be at the state party headquarters on Monday morning. |
Sooner Politics
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