Oklahoma is no stranger to natural disasters. However, human error can be just as deadly as a tornado. In 2002, a deadly transportation accident claimed the lives of over a dozen people in Webbers Falls.

On the morning of May 26, 2002, tragedy struck Webbers Falls when a towboat struck the a bridge spanning the Arkansas River.
Wikimedia Commons/xpda
The towboat was captained by Joe Dedmon, who experienced a fainting spell while at the helm. The vessel hit the Interstate 40 bridge at roughly 7:45 a.m.
The collision collapsed a 580-foot section of the bridge. Cars, trucks and semis plunged into the Robert S. Kerr Reservoir below. The accident killed 14 people and injured 11 others.
YouTube/Oklahoma DOT
The vehicles fell more than 60 feet into the water. Witnesses reported that one car after another slid helplessly down the collapsed section into the river. Among the dead were 35-year-old U.S. Army soldier, a 3-year-old girl and 49-year-old police officer.
Incredibly, rescue efforts were set back because a known felon impersonated a U.S. Army captain and managed to take command of the accident scene for two days.
YouTube/Oklahoma DOT
For real. William James Clark arrived on the scene of the disaster and claimed to be an army captain. He directed FBI agents, directed rescue efforts and appropriated vehicles and equipment for two days before suspicions were raised. When confronted, Clark fleet the scene and was eventually apprehended in Canada.

Over 20,000 cars were diverted for two months while the bridge was rebuilt. Today, an onsite memorial marks the tragic accident.

To learn more about this disaster and view news footage from the day, check out the video below from Oklahoma DOT’s YouTube channel:

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