Widow of OHP trooper files wrongful death lawsuit after deadly I-35 crash
Posted on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026 at 9:02 pm
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – A woman who lost her husband, an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, to a deadly collision on Interstate 35 earlier this month has filed a wrongful death lawsuit, according to KFOR.
The woman filed a lawsuit against Matthews Trenching, a metro-based company, and a driver who was behind the commercial vehicle involved in the collision.
The collision occurred around 12 p.m. on April 8 on Interstate 35 near Britton and Hefner Roads. A 36-year-old woman was driving when she came across a load that fell from the aforementioned commercial vehicle. The woman swerved out of her lane and crashed into a cable barrier and another vehicle, driven by the OHP trooper, later identified as Vernon Brake, Koco reports.
Brake, the 36-year-old woman, later identified as Mercedes Bayne, and her 5-year-old daughter all died from their injuries.
The widow’s attorney did not specify the specific allegations being laid out, but did say she is seeking over $75,000 in damages.
This information is presented as a way to help keep our community safer and is not meant to be taken as legal advice.However, the Oklahoma car accident attorneys at the Abel Law Firm have helped clients secure financial compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident involving another vehicle, contact us today for a free consultation.
