CATOOSA, Okla. — A late-night motorcycle crash in Catoosa has left a young man dead after a high-speed collision at a busy intersection, according to authorities. The tragic incident has shaken the community and raised renewed concerns about reckless driving and its deadly consequences.
Police identified the victim as 24-year-old Russell Troy Lathrup II. According to the Catoosa Police Department, the crash occurred Thursday night along 193rd East Avenue when Lathrup was traveling northbound at an extremely high rate of speed.
Investigators say Lathrup entered the intersection against a red light, reportedly traveling at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. Just moments before impact, the motorcycle appeared to have “laid down,” suggesting a loss of control as he approached the crossing.
The motorcycle then collided with an eastbound SUV that was legally traveling through the intersection on a green light. The impact was severe, prompting an immediate emergency response from local authorities and an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper who arrived on the scene.
Despite rapid lifesaving efforts, Lathrup was pronounced dead at approximately 10:29 p.m. The driver of the SUV sustained non-life-threatening injuries, primarily related to airbag deployment, and was transported to a nearby Tulsa-area hospital for evaluation.
Further investigation revealed that Lathrup had been traveling at even higher speeds earlier, reportedly exceeding 120 miles per hour on U.S. Highway 412. An OHP trooper briefly attempted a traffic stop, but the rider accelerated away before the pursuit was quickly terminated. Authorities confirmed the crash occurred just seconds after the trooper disengaged.
Officials also noted that Lathrup was operating an unregistered 1988 Honda Hurricane motorcycle without a visible license plate. He was reportedly wearing a helmet and protective gear at the time of the crash. The incident remains under investigation as authorities continue to examine all contributing factors surrounding the fatal collision.