Owasso, OK — March 18, 2025, Ernest Blakestad was killed in a truck accident at about 6:30 a.m. on State Highway 20 at North 145th East Avenue.
Authorities said a 2000 Ford F-150 was hit by a 2025 Kenworth concrete truck after it turned onto S.H. 20.
Pickup driver Ernest C. Blakestad, 71, of Collinsville died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.
No other injuries were reported.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Rogers County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Crashes where a passenger vehicle is struck by a large commercial truck after turning onto a highway raise serious concerns about right-of-way, visibility and whether both drivers had enough time to react safely. In this case, reports indicate that a Ford F-150 was hit by a Kenworth concrete truck after entering State Highway 20, resulting in the death of the pickup driver. A full investigation should determine whether this was due to driver misjudgment, road design or another contributing factor.
One of the first questions investigators should answer is whether the pickup driver had enough time to complete the turn safely. Did the driver misjudge the speed and distance of the oncoming concrete truck, or was the truck traveling too fast for the conditions? Reviewing black box data, dashcam footage and witness statements will be crucial in understanding whether either driver had the opportunity to avoid the crash.
Another key factor is visibility at the intersection. Was the pickup driver able to clearly see oncoming traffic, or were there obstructions — such as trees, signage or buildings — that made it difficult to judge the truck’s approach? Rural highways often lack controlled intersections, meaning drivers must rely on their own judgment to assess traffic. If poor visibility contributed, authorities should determine whether additional safety measures, such as better signage or a dedicated turn lane, could help prevent similar incidents.
Speed should also be considered. Large commercial vehicles require significantly more time and distance to stop than passenger vehicles. Was the concrete truck traveling at a safe speed, and did the driver attempt to brake or swerve? Investigators should examine black box data from the truck to determine its speed and braking activity before impact.
At this stage, there isn’t enough public information to determine exactly what led to this crash. But if authorities focus only on the point of impact without investigating why the pickup entered the truck’s path — whether due to misjudgment, poor visibility or road design — they risk missing key details. A thorough investigation should take all possible factors into account to ensure a full understanding of what went wrong and whether improvements, such as intersection modifications or clearer traffic controls, could help prevent similar crashes in the future.
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