House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa, chair of the Oklahoma Veterans and Public Safety Caucus, and Rep. John George, R-Newalla, vice chair of the caucus, issued the following joint statement in recognition of Veterans Day. "On Veterans Day, we have the privilege of recognizing the men and women who answered the call to serve our country and who continue to make a difference for our state and nation today. Military service is not an easy commitment, and it takes a special kind of courage and dedication to answer that call. We owe our veterans a tremendous debt of gratitude," Hildebrant and George said. "As veterans ourselves, we know firsthand that serving our country is about much more than wearing a uniform. It's a commitment that stays with you long after your military service ends. We understand the sacrifices made and the pride that comes with being part of something greater than yourself." "To our fellow veterans, thank you for your courage, your commitment and your willingness to put our country and our constitution before yourselves. Your service matters, your sacrifices are appreciated and your stories deserve to be heard. We are proud to stand alongside you, not just today, but every day. We also want to recognize and thank the families of our veterans, whose sacrifices and unwavering support have played an important role in protecting the freedoms we enjoy today." Hildebrant is a retired Air Force veteran who served 25 years in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, while George served five years in the Oklahoma National Guard. Both continue their commitment to serving fellow veterans through their leadership roles in the Oklahoma Veterans and Public Safety Caucus.

Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, is expressing his condolences following the death of a Webster High School student in Monday's crash on the Turner Turnpike near Chandler. He also is calling for renewed attention to roadway safety along this stretch of the turnpike and other heavily traveled routes in the area. "My heart breaks for the family who lost their child, for the students and staff who were injured, and for the entire Webster High School community," Shaw said. "No family should have to experience this kind of loss. I am keeping everyone affected in my prayers, and I hope those who were injured make a full recovery." The crash occurred as several Webster High School students and a staff member were returning from a student council convention in Norman. One student passed away, and the other occupants received medical treatment at area hospitals. Shaw, whose district includes the portion of the turnpike where the accident occurred, called for a closer examination of roadway safety along the Turner Turnpike near Chandler. The crash follows previous safety concerns along the Turner Turnpike in Lincoln County. In November 2025, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported investigating 22 crashes along the full turnpike in just 18 days, with semi-trucks involved in 55% of those crashes. Shaw said these incidents warrant a closer examination of roadway conditions, traffic patterns and safety measures along this stretch of highway. "This is an area that sees significant traffic, including commercial trucks and families traveling across our state, and we need to take a hard look at whether current safety measures are doing enough to protect motorists," Shaw said. "We cannot change what happened Monday, but we can look for ways to prevent another family from experiencing this kind of heartbreak. Every Oklahoman should be able to travel our roads with confidence that their safety is a priority."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Mike Lay, R-Jenks, Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, Amanda Clinton, D-Tulsa, and Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, issued the following joint statement expressing their condolences to the Webster High School community following Monday's tragic crash on the Turner Turnpike. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of a young life and the pain this tragedy has brought to so many families. Our hearts are with the family mourning their child, those recovering from their injuries and everyone at Webster High School who has been affected. We know words can offer only so much comfort during a time like this, but we want the Webster community to know we are here for them. We stand ready to offer our support in any way we can and will continue keeping these families in our thoughts and prayers." The crash occurred Monday as seven Webster High School students and a staff member were returning from a student council convention in Norman. One student has passed away, while the other students and staff member were injured and received medical treatment at area hospitals.  -END-