A one-vehicle traffic accident in the northbound lanes of I-35 early Sunday morning claimed the life of a truck driver and shut down the interstate for 10 hours and 45 minutes.

Law enforcement officials reported the tractor-trailer rig rolled over onto the passenger side of the cab that was completely engulfed in flames immediately after the 4:30 a.m. crash near the bridge over Walnut Creek.

The force of the crash caused Oklahoma Department of Transportation officials to keep the interstate closed from 4:30 a.m. until 5:15 p.m. until the integrity of the bridge could be considered safe for the traveling public.

Among those officers responding to the scene were Sheriff Deputies Scott Thrash and Adam Watson and Purcell Officers Thomas Rollins and Cathy Lewis.

Watson said due to the severity of the fire neither he nor officer Rollins were able to render aid to the driver, whom they presumed to be deceased.

Also answering the call were members of the Purcell Fire Department and Wadley’s EMS. ODOT authorities arrived later and OHP Trooper Jace Gilley arrived at approximately 7:30 a.m. deputies reported.

During the course of directing traffic at the accident scene Deputy Watson had parked his Sheriff Unit about three car lengths in front of Deputy Thrash’s unit, both with all their emergency lights flashing and arrows pointing to exit at the 91 off ramp.

Watson said at approximately 7:18 a.m. he observed a dark colored SUV speeding toward his unit.

“I estimated the vehicle was traveling approximately 80 m.p.h.,” Watson said. “It was immediately apparent to me from my training and experience that the vehicle was not going to be able to stop in time to avoid a crash with my patrol vehicle.”

Watson said the black SUV struck his patrol vehicle on the passenger side knocking it into the center median near the cable barrier. The SUV traveled into the off-ramp.

Watson was not severely injured but the driver of the SUV, Sean English, 29, of Ardmore sustained a broken arm.

Lt. Jeff Poteet with the Sheriff’s Department transported Watson to Purcell Municipal Hospital to be checked for injuries. Then Poteet transported Watson to the sheriff’s office where he took possession of a spare patrol vehicle.

As of presstime the OHP had not released details of the fatality accident or the name of the victim pending notification of next of kin.

Traffic was bumper-to-bumper on Green Avenue during the closing of the interstate causing a huge delay for travelers heading north.

The fatality was one of 12 over the weekend in Oklahoma, officials reported.