Truck Driver Charged After Allegedly Watching TV Before Fatal Oklahoma Turnpike Crash
OTTAWA COUNTY, OK — A Texas truck driver is facing a first-degree manslaughter charge after allegedly watching television moments before a fatal crash on the Will Rogers Turnpike that killed an Oklahoma highway worker.
Court Documents Reveal Distraction Behind Fatal Collision
According to court records, David Carlson, 50, of Whitesboro, Texas, was charged in Ottawa County last month following an investigation into the August 18 crash that killed Zachary Rhinehart, 36, of Vinita, Oklahoma.
Officials said Rhinehart, an Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) worker, was collecting debris along the shoulder of the turnpike when Carlson’s semi-truck veered off the road, striking the back of Rhinehart’s parked truck and pushing it into him.
Rhinehart died at the scene.
Initial Claim Replaced By Video Evidence
When questioned by Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) troopers at the time, Carlson reportedly claimed he dropped his cellphone and was reaching for it when the crash occurred.
However, after reviewing multiple video sources, investigators concluded that Carlson had been watching a television show inside the cab of his semi-truck when he veered off the roadway.
OHP officials described the crash as “completely preventable” and cited driver inattention as a primary factor.
Second Worker Critically Injured
A second OTA worker, identified as Colton Armstrong, was sitting inside the truck during the impact and was critically injured, according to troopers. Armstrong remains in recovery as the case moves forward.
Court Proceedings And Next Steps
Carlson made his first court appearance on October 3 in Ottawa County District Court, where a judge ordered him to obtain legal representation. He is scheduled to return to court in November.
The case has drawn renewed attention to driver distraction on Oklahoma highways — particularly among long-haul commercial drivers, who are required by law to adhere to strict safety standards and federal electronic device restrictions while operating vehicles.
Public Safety Emphasis
State transportation officials have urged commercial drivers to follow federal hours-of-service regulations and to avoid in-cab distractions, noting that even brief lapses in attention can have deadly consequences.
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