Tulsa Woman Killed At Troubled Highway 75 Intersection

Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers say a troubled highway intersection claimed another life overnight Sunday. Tulsa resident Crystal Lea Cooper, 31, was killed just after 1 a.m. after pulling into the path of another car on U.S. Highway 75 at 116th Street North.

Several roadside memorials at the intersection pay tribute to previous victims of fatality crashes at the same spot.

"This is an intersection we've had problems with for many years," said Trooper Whit Cochran.

"Even at this late hour, we still have collisions. We just need to urge motorists to use caution at the intersections up north of town on Highway 75. They need to watch other traffic when they cross over the intersections."

"Several times a year we're out here, and it's something we don't like," he said.

In October, 24-year-old Lilia Lee was killed on her way to work at the same intersection. A friend has started a petition drive to improve safety at the crossing.

10/23/2011 Related Story: Tulsa Man Starts Petition Drive To Fix Highway Intersection

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation plans to build an overpass to take traffic safely over the highway, but work is not scheduled to begin for four years.

Meanwhile, ODOT has placed flashing yellow lights along Highway 75 near the intersection and increased the size of the stop signs on 116th Street North. ODOT says that's all it can do unless state leaders find some other source of funding to begin the project sooner.

Until then OHP is asking anyone who drives through here, no matter the time of day, to be careful so you don't become another tragic story.

"Just urge motorists when they're traveling on this highway or on these cross streets to use extreme caution when they're crossing over," said Trooper Whit Cochran with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

"Watch for other vehicles and wait a few seconds or several seconds if you have to, it's better to be safe than sorry. Let traffic pass and then cross when it's safe."

Three other people were injured in the two-car collision Sunday morning. A passenger in Cooper's Chevrolet Camaro, 23-year-old Jasper Albert Carrell III of Broken Arrow, was taken to a local hospital in stable condition with head, arm, leg and internal injuries.

Edmond resident Bradley Robert Schmitt was driving the car that was northbound on U.S. Highway 75. He was treated and released for arm and internal injuries. His passenger, 30-year-old Jennifer L. Schmitt of Edmond, was also treated and released from St. John in Tulsa.

Trooper Cochran said seat belts were in use by all.