Storm chaser killed by wrong-way driver

SAPULPA, Okla. - A storm chaser featured on the Weather Channel has been killed in a head-on collision in northeastern Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol hasn't released the names of those killed in a double-fatality accident on the Turner Turnpike in Sapulpa Saturday afternoon, but the Weather Channel said one of them was storm chaser Andy Gabrielson, who worked on their show "Tornado Hunt."

CBS Affiliate KOTV reports Gabrielson's car was hit head-on by another going the wrong way.

Troopers told KOTV that the other driver had been going the wrong direction on the Creek Turnpike, then got onto the Turner Turnpike still going the wrong way. Police said they believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Two other cars were also involved in the collision. Bother those drivers received minor injuries.

According to a statement on the Weather Channel's website, Gabrielson had been chasing storms in Texas and was headed home on Saturday.

Gabrielson, who is from Minnesota (but lives in Oklahoma City during severe weather season), was two weeks away from his 25th birthday. He leaves behind a 3-year-old daughter.

[RickCain4150]

I almost got hit head on by a wrong-way driver who I guessed was going at least 60 mph in a 40mph zone. I found out later it was some crazy elderly lady with dementia who had no business driving at all, and she wrecked not long after whizzing by me.

[guest173]

chasing storms but killed by a drunk driver. I know here in Texas we have tons of wrong way drunk driver accidents/deaths. drunk drivers get a slap on the wrist unless they kill a police officer. it's like 6 years if you kill a normal person, ridiculous

[random_radar]

I am sorry the innocent man died, but I am glad the drunk driver died. Too often the drunk survives, and that is always a tragedy. Death to all drunk drivers ;).

[gottasay]

So sad, 3 year old daughter. These freaking wrong way drunk drivers. So many stories like these, seems like there could be steps to prevent, e.g. spikes, etc.