Two killed on I-35; driver speeds in wrong direction
Two people were killed early Saturday morning and two others were taken to a hospital as a driver was seen speeding in the wrong direction on I-35.
The fatal three-vehicle accident occurred between the two Guthrie exits at mile marker 155 in Logan County at around 2:24 a.m., but it appears the driver of a 2012 Dodge Charger started to drive southbound in the northbound lanes miles before the accident.
The driver of the Charger, 33-year-old Curtis Garcia, of Albuquerque, New Mexico died due to massive injuries.
It is unknown why Garcia was traveling in the wrong dircetion and is under investigation.
Garcia forced another car off into the median wire four miles north of the fatal accident at mile marker 159.
Everyone involved was wearing seat belts except for Garcia.
Tosha Hanifen, a 29-year-old female from Ponca City, was pronounced dead at the seen due to massive injures.
Aaron Hollins, 23-year-old from Watonga, was mediflighted to a Oklahoma City hospital with head, arm and leg injuries.
Claudia Nacianceno, 36-years-old from Granite Falls, Minnesota, was treated and released at a local hospital.
A 23-year-old Stillwater man and a 21-year-old Perry man refused treatment at the scene.
Witnesses believe Garcia had reached speeds well over 100 m.p.h. It
Traffic was closed for four hours and 32 minutes and was diverted off the interstate at mile marker 153 and getting back on at the 157 marker.
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It sounds like the driver of the Dodge got off to get fuel at the Love’s Station (or other gas staion), missed the correct I-35 ramp, got onto the incorrect ramp and drove south bound in the north bound I-35 traffic.
3 wrecks in last week, all involving dodge chargers, strange huh
This guy took my cousin, my best friend, and a mother away from her kids! All because he wanted to have a good time…it’s not fair!
also our great neice here in ponca city
That man was my friend, and the greatest soldier I have ever had the honor to serve with…so my condolences in your loss, but we lost a hero as well…
If the Charger driver forced someone into the median wire at marker 159, he would have crossed before the Hwy 33 interchange. The Hwy 33 interchange is exit 157.
How do we know he was having a good time? He’s from New Mexico, he couldve been tired from the long drive.
well considering that I-35 does not go through New Mexico and the unit he was in is based out off OKC. He was completely off course. I-40 goes to New Mexico, so it sounds like he was having a good time
SSG Garcias blood alcohol level was a .25. So sad! This could have been prevented and my cousin could still be here today.
And the officer clocked him going 132mph!
He was an amazing man and a decorated soldier. He did more for this country before the age of 20 than most of you will do in 5 life times. You should not make assumptions. Hes just a name to you. To us he was a fellow soldier who put his life on the line for this country time and time again, and he deserves some respect.
Maybe this soldier had done some good in his life but he absolutely was not doing any good that night when he KILLED MY NIECE.if he did get on I35 by accident and wasn’t doing anything wrong font you think he would of stopped when he figured out he was going the wrong way , or just maybe stopped and helped one of the several cars he ran off the road or just maybe he would of stopped when he was heading strait for the trooper who clocked him at 112 MPH and then he wouldn’t of slammed I to my niece . It has been 11 days since I buried my niece and anger is setting in . I have no mercy for this soldier you call Curtis but my heart does go out to his family . God be with you .
And you need to realize that this man was more than a soldier, he was our Brother. I served 2 tours with him. And I know several other folks whom he carried and led through combat can vouch for his heroism. So you can be mad all you want. That is how life is, it’s never fair. But trying to make him out as the villain here won’t make it better. He was and will always be the greatest soldier we had the pleasure of knowing. PERIOD.
But my niece is still dead and her 3 children will only know what a wonderful person she was by us tell them …….
You appear to have known SSG Garcia.
I am investigating the events surrounding this tragic incident. Please contact me at garcia.inquiry@gmail.com
I would like to talk to anyone that actually knew or worked with or served in the ARNG with SSG Garcia.
Thanks
To 45th Soldier. I had the honor in knowing your brother for a short time that i had with him as a friend. He was always a kind, loving, caring, person to everyone who knew him or got to know him as i did. He well as always be missed. But most of all that I well miss the most is his “SMILE”……. He well truly be miss…….