The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) has confirmed that a fatal crash on Interstate 35 in Goldsby, Oklahoma, early Saturday morning claimed the lives of 56-year-old Altus Barnett, of Oklahoma City, and two children, aged 8 and 12, whose names have not been released due to their age. The crash occurred shortly after 3:45 a.m. when Barnett’s 1996 Honda Accord collided with a Mack semi-trailer. The tragic accident has left the local community devastated, and an ongoing investigation aims to determine the cause of the collision.

Incident Overview: The Crash and Immediate Response

On the morning of Saturday, May 3, 2025, OHP officers responded to a tragic incident on the northbound lanes of I-35 in Goldsby, located just south of Norman. The collision, which involved a semi-trailer and a passenger vehicle, immediately prompted an intense response from emergency responders. Upon arrival, law enforcement and paramedics found the wreckage of a Honda Accord that had collided head-on with a large Mack semi-truck.

The vehicle, driven by 56-year-old Altus Barnett, was severely damaged in the collision, and all three of the car’s occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. Tragically, Barnett, who was driving the Honda, lost his life, as did two young boys, aged 8 and 12. While the identities of the children were not disclosed due to their age, the heartbreaking nature of their untimely deaths has left their families, the community, and the state reeling from the tragic event.

The Honda had been traveling on I-35, reportedly on the northbound side, when the collision occurred. In the aftermath, two other individuals— a 35-year-old woman and a 13-year-old boy— were found to be injured but survived the crash. They were transported to hospitals in Oklahoma City, where they were reported to be in stable condition as of the latest updates. Despite being critically injured, they were fortunate to survive, unlike the other victims.

Meanwhile, the driver of the Mack semi-trailer, whose identity was not released at the time, was also injured in the crash but sustained non-life-threatening injuries. After being treated at a nearby hospital in Norman, the truck driver was released. The injuries sustained by the semi-truck driver are still unclear, but authorities have stated that no further details regarding his health will be made public until further investigation is complete.

The Victims: Altus Barnett and the Two Children

Altus Barnett, the driver of the Honda, was a resident of Oklahoma City. Described as a caring individual and beloved by his family, Barnett’s tragic death has left a profound impact on his loved ones. His sudden passing during what should have been an ordinary drive has sparked immense grief, not only among his family members but throughout the local community. Barnett was known for his kindness, and he was a part of his community, always willing to lend a hand and engage with those around him.

In addition to Barnett’s tragic passing, the two young boys who lost their lives in the crash have left an indelible mark on those who knew them. At just 8 and 12 years old, their lives were cut short in a way that is impossible to comprehend. Their families are now facing an unimaginable loss, compounded by the fact that their children were taken so suddenly and without warning. These children had their whole lives ahead of them, and the hole left by their absence will be felt deeply by their friends, family, and the wider community.

While the identities of the children have been kept confidential, as per the legal requirement to protect their privacy, their deaths underscore the devastating impact that tragic accidents can have on families and communities. No parent, family member, or community member should ever have to face the heartache of losing a child in such an abrupt and violent way.

Ongoing Investigation: Understanding the Causes and Circumstances

As of now, the cause of the fatal crash remains under investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The OHP, in conjunction with other local authorities, is working diligently to determine the precise circumstances leading to the tragic collision. Initial reports have indicated that the crash took place when the Honda Accord, driven by Barnett, collided with the semi-trailer, which was traveling on the same highway.

The key question in the investigation revolves around the conditions that may have contributed to the crash. Preliminary reports have not indicated that road conditions, weather, or mechanical issues played a direct role, but authorities are carefully examining all possible factors. This includes scrutinizing the speed at which the vehicles were traveling, the maneuvering of the vehicles involved, and any potential factors like distracted driving or fatigue.

Semi-truck crashes, like the one that occurred on I-35, raise significant concerns about the safety of large vehicles on high-traffic highways. With their massive size and weight, semi-trucks can pose serious risks when involved in collisions with smaller passenger vehicles. The sheer force of impact, as well as the limited visibility around large trucks, makes these accidents particularly dangerous.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has already signaled its intent to closely review the event’s timeline, including any potential footage or surveillance data from the area. Investigators may also consult with accident reconstruction specialists to better understand the physics of the crash and whether there were any pre-existing issues that contributed to the fatal incident.

The involvement of the families and loved ones of the victims, particularly those who survived the crash, will also be an integral part of the investigation. Eyewitness testimony and firsthand accounts from those involved will provide invaluable information to law enforcement, helping to clarify the exact circumstances that led to the fatal head-on collision.

Oklahoma’s Road Safety and the Role of Semi-Trailer Trucks

The incident on I-35 serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with traveling on highways, particularly in the presence of large commercial vehicles like semi-trucks. Despite regulations intended to improve safety on the roads, semi-truck accidents continue to be a leading cause of fatalities, particularly when they are involved in collisions with passenger vehicles.

National statistics reveal that over 4,000 people are killed each year in crashes involving large trucks, and more than 100,000 are injured. Many of these deaths result from head-on or rear-end collisions involving commercial vehicles, often due to the sheer force of impact when smaller vehicles collide with trucks that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded.

In light of the incident in Wyoming County, it is clear that greater attention needs to be paid to the issue of semi-truck safety, especially in regions where busy highways, such as I-35, intersect with smaller, more vulnerable vehicles. Many states have adopted stricter regulations on the hours that truck drivers can operate, the frequency of inspections, and the maintenance of commercial vehicles, but such efforts can only go so far in addressing the inherent risks of sharing the road with large trucks.

The Impact on the Community: Grief and Support

The tragic loss of life in this crash has rippled through the community of Wyoming County, where friends, family, and residents are coming to terms with the death of Altus Barnett and the two young children. The pain of losing a loved one in such a violent and sudden manner is immense, and for those who survived, including James Stablewski, the emotional toll is significant. The close-knit nature of the community means that the tragedy will be felt not only by the families but also by the larger network of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who knew and loved the victims.

Support networks are already forming, with local churches, schools, and community organizations offering counseling and grief support services for those affected by the loss. The importance of these support services cannot be overstated, as the grieving process for such a sudden and tragic event can take a long time. For many in the community, the shock of the accident will likely take months, if not longer, to process fully.

As with other incidents of this nature, the emotional scars of the event will linger long after the investigation is concluded. Local support groups, counselors, and grief professionals will continue to play an essential role in helping those affected by the crash to heal and come to terms with the loss they have experienced.

Calls for Safety Reform: A Larger Conversation

This tragedy has sparked a renewed conversation about road safety, particularly in the context of semi-truck accidents. For years, public safety advocates have called for stronger measures to ensure that large commercial vehicles are held to the highest safety standards. Whether through increased inspections, better driver training, or stricter regulations on the hours that truckers can work, these efforts are intended to make the roads safer for all motorists.

The Wyoming County crash involving the semi-truck and passenger vehicles highlights the dangers that remain present, despite these ongoing efforts. While investigations continue, there are growing calls for further regulation and awareness programs to improve the safety of roads in the county, particularly on busy highways like I-35.

Conclusion: The Investigation and Moving Forward

The tragic deaths of Daniel Abbott, Sanny Dewan, and James Stablewski in Wyoming County have left an indelible mark on the community. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the fatal crash and determine the causes behind it. The ongoing investigation will be critical in answering questions surrounding the incident and helping to ensure that lessons are learned to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

For now, the Wyoming County community is left to mourn the loss of two lives that were taken too soon and support those who remain. The hope is that the investigation will provide clarity and bring justice for the families affected by this devastating event.