Dale Gibson, Larry Granger Death News – Authorities in Grady County are investigating a devastating weekend crash that left two men dead and temporarily shut down a section of Interstate 44. The collision occurred Saturday evening and involved two vehicles traveling in opposite directions, according to information released by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP).
The incident took place along the H.E. Bailey Turnpike, near Mile Marker 101, a stretch of highway that typically sees steady traffic. OHP reports indicate that a pickup truck was heading eastbound but, for reasons that remain unclear, was traveling in the westbound lanes of the interstate. Troopers have not yet determined why the driver was going the wrong way, and this detail will be a key part of their ongoing investigation.
At the same time, a sedan was moving westbound in its proper lane when the two vehicles met head-on. The impact was severe enough that both drivers—each traveling alone—suffered fatal injuries.
The victims have been identified as 62-year-old Dale Gibson of Paoli, who was driving the pickup, and 47-year-old Larry Granger of Lawton, who was behind the wheel of the sedan. Emergency responders arrived quickly after the crash was reported, but neither driver could be saved. Officials pronounced both men deceased at the scene.
Because of the seriousness of the collision and the amount of debris scattered across the roadway, authorities temporarily closed the affected section of Interstate 44. This allowed investigators, cleanup crews, and emergency teams to safely work in the area without additional risk to passing motorists. The closure caused delays for drivers along the turnpike, but lanes were reopened once troopers completed their initial examination and the roadway was cleared.
OHP troopers are now working to determine how the pickup ended up traveling the wrong direction on the interstate. Investigators will review physical evidence from the scene, study skid marks and vehicle positions, and examine both vehicles for mechanical issues that might have contributed. They will also consider factors such as lighting, roadway conditions, and any signs that might clarify the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
Wrong-way collisions are relatively rare but can be especially dangerous due to the combined speeds of the vehicles involved. Investigators will try to establish where the pickup entered the westbound lane and whether the driver may have missed signage, become disoriented, or moved into the wrong lane at an on-ramp or crossover point.
In addition to studying the physical evidence, troopers may gather information from witnesses or nearby motorists who may have spotted the pickup before the crash. Any available traffic camera or turnpike surveillance footage could also help clarify the moments before the collision.
As the investigation continues, community members from both Paoli and Lawton are processing the sudden loss of two residents. Both Gibson and Granger were traveling alone at the time, and OHP has not reported any additional injuries.
No timeline has been given for when the full investigative report will be completed, as these analyses typically require several steps, including vehicle inspections and the review of any possible contributing factors. Once completed, the findings will provide a clearer understanding of what led to the tragic wrong-way encounter on the turnpike.
For now, officials are emphasizing that the crash remains under active review. Further updates may be released as OHP gathers more information or reaches conclusions about the cause of the incident.
