MARIETTA, Love County, Okla., Sept. 17, 2026 — Two people were flown to a hospital with serious injuries after a three-vehicle crash shut down northbound Interstate 35 in Love County early on Wednesday morning, September 16.
The Love County Fire Department said the crash happened shortly before 6 a.m. and brought northbound traffic to a stop. Detectives reported that two people involved were airlifted to a hospital in serious condition. Their current conditions have not been released.
Emergency crews reportedly had to extricate one person from a vehicle at the scene. Oklahoma Department of Transportation crews used heavy equipment to remove a guardrail that had become lodged in a van, according to authorities.
The inside northbound lane has since reopened, but the outside lane remained closed for a time, and authorities said traffic was being diverted through Marietta while crews worked the scene. Drivers were urged to use alternate routes.
The crash remains under investigation, but information about the cause has not been provided.
We are deeply sorry for the losses suffered by the victims' families.
Three-Vehicle Crashes and Occupants Outside Passenger Vehicles
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. That figure includes pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and people struck outside their vehicles during a crash or its aftermath, a group that highway workers, tow operators, and stranded motorists fall into as well.
Multi-vehicle pileups on interstates usually create exactly that kind of exposure. Once a first collision blocks a lane, drivers and passengers who step out, first responders working the wreck, and road crews handling debris or guardrails are all standing in or near live traffic. A second or third vehicle arriving at highway speed has little time to react to people on foot.
Investigators looking at these crashes typically examine following distance, speed relative to conditions, and how quickly earlier vehicles could be seen or avoided. Early morning and low-light hours add another layer, since visibility and driver alertness both tend to be lower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do chain-reaction crashes happen?
They usually start with one vehicle slowing, stopping, or losing control, then other drivers following too closely or reacting too late to avoid it, especially in low light or heavy traffic.
How can drivers avoid getting caught in a pileup?
Keeping extra distance from the vehicle ahead, slowing down in poor visibility, and watching for brake lights or hazard flashers well before reaching a slowdown can help drivers react in time.
What should I do if I'm stopped near a crash on the highway?
Move as far from traffic lanes as possible, turn on hazard lights, and stay inside the vehicle unless it's unsafe to do so, since standing near live lanes carries real risk.
How does fog or low light contribute to pileups?
Reduced visibility shortens the time drivers have to see and react to slowed or stopped traffic ahead, which is part of why early morning and nighttime multi-vehicle crashes are common on interstates.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Marietta, OK
If you're involved in or near a multi-vehicle crash, move to a safe area away from traffic if you're able, and call 911 right away. Even if injuries seem minor at first, it's worth getting checked by a medical provider, since some injuries from a crash don't show symptoms immediately.
Get contact information from any other drivers or witnesses, and ask for a copy of the police report once it's available. If you're waiting for a tow or assistance on the shoulder of I-35, stay inside your vehicle with hazard lights on unless conditions make that unsafe. Follow guidance from authorities on the scene, especially if lanes remain closed or traffic is being rerouted.
