Oklahoma Wrong-Way DUI Crash Kills 4 Young Adults; Driver Charged
A 27-year-old man has been charged after a wrong-way DUI crash on Interstate 40 in Canadian County, Oklahoma, that killed four young people early Friday, May 22.[1]
Authorities arrested and charged Michael Rosario-Cruz with four counts of second-degree murder, two counts of DUI causing great bodily injury, and related offenses, and he is being held in the Canadian County Jail.[1]
On Friday, May 22, a westbound vehicle drove into the eastbound lanes of I-40 and struck another car head-on, setting the struck vehicle on fire, troopers said.[1] All four occupants of the struck vehicle, ages 18 to 20, were killed and later identified as Kiercey Hickson, 20; Quincy Jones, 19; and 18-year-olds Haliegh Salazar and Brad Palmer.[1]
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a detainer so it will be notified if Rosario-Cruz is released.[1] A vigil at El Reno High School honored the four victims; three had recently graduated from the school.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Early Friday, May 22, 2026, a westbound vehicle traveling in the eastbound lanes of I-40 in Canadian County, Oklahoma, struck another car head-on and caused it to catch fire.
- All four occupants of the struck vehicle, ages 18 to 20, were killed and later identified as Kiercey Hickson, 20, Quincy Jones, 19, and 18-year-olds Haliegh Salazar and Brad Palmer.
- Driver Michael Rosario-Cruz, 27, was charged with four counts of second-degree murder, two counts of DUI causing great bodily injury, and several related offenses and is held in the Canadian County Jail.
- The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a detainer for Rosario-Cruz to be notified upon any release for potential deportation proceedings.
- A vigil was held at El Reno High School, where three of the victims had recently graduated, to remember the four young people killed in the crash.
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