A tragic multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 44 in Oklahoma City early Friday morning has claimed the life of a young woman just weeks before her wedding.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the collision occurred shortly after 2 a.m. on westbound I-44 at Western Avenue. Authorities confirmed that 23-year-old Katelyn Callahan, of Kiefer, Oklahoma, died at the scene.
Three passengers in Callahan’s vehicle, including two 17-year-old girls, were critically injured. Two additional individuals in another involved vehicle were taken to local hospitals in fair condition.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. Westbound I-44 was closed for over two hours while emergency crews cleared the scene and conducted an investigation. It has since reopened.
A Life Cut Short
Callahan, who lived in Kiefer, was known as a hardworking and vibrant young woman. She worked multiple jobs, including as a clerk at QuikTrip, a cocktail waitress at Arena Pub & Grill in Tulsa, and a server at Hooters.
She was also a student at Oklahoma State University and a graduate of Kiefer High School.
Callahan was engaged to Tristen Cherry, and the couple was set to be married this month.
Friends and loved ones have taken to social media to share their grief and heartbreak. One post from friend Aurelia Baskin read:
“This is very sad. Katelyn died in a car accident today, and she was due to get married to Tristan Cherry this month. Life can be unfair sometimes. Everybody sows good seed, plans good plans for others as well.”
Community in Mourning
The small town of Kiefer and the broader Oklahoma community are mourning the loss of a young woman whose life was full of promise.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has not released further details on what caused the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing.
