Thursday, April 9, 2026 • Low 80s, mostly sunny and windy. ☀️

Note: Storm chances return starting Friday. ⛈️

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By Ryan Welton, Oklahoma Memo

Colleagues, law enforcement, family, and friends are mourning the deaths of an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, a 36-year-old mother, and her 4-year-old child after a midday crash on the north side of Oklahoma City.

From an OHP Facebook post:
Investigators believe 36-year-old Mercedes Bayne was traveling southbound on I-35 when she took evasive action to avoid either debris, equipment, or vehicles that had stopped ahead of her.

Bayne crossed over the center cable barrier, striking Trooper Vernon Brake, who was driving northbound on I-35.

Trooper Brake, Bayne, and a four-year-old passenger in Bayne’s vehicle were all pronounced deceased at the scene.

OHP officials reported searching for information about a work truck at the scene, but later stated they had found it.

👉 Click here to read the rest of the story.

👀 See also:

• Debris on I-35 may have triggered crash that killed mom, child and OHP trooper (Fox 25)

• Investigators identify truck believed to be at the scene of fatal I-35 crash (News 9)

• 3 people, including an Oklahoma trooper and child, killed in crash on I-35 in OKC: What we know (KOCO)

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A hand-curated list of the best journalism from across the state:

• OSU softball's game versus Wichita State postponed after bus-pedestrian fatality (The O’Colly)

• Police standoff underway in backyard of southwest OKC home after officer-involved shooting (KOCO)

• Accused Pauls Valley gunman planned to carry out Columbine-inspired shooting, documents say (KOCO)

• Owasso High School student arrested with loaded gun on campus (Tulsa World)*

• Oklahoma lawmakers consider bill to shield fossil fuel companies from climate, greenhouse gas lawsuits (StateImpact Oklahoma)

• Oklahoma can’t afford to lose Medicaid expansion, Cherokee chief says (Oklahoma Voice)

• Panel denies clemency to Oklahoma death row inmate (Oklahoma Voice)

• Federal judge denies settlements in Oklahoma's decades-long poultry pollution lawsuit (KOSU)

• Judge refuses to toss removal proceeding for suspended Coal County sheriff (NonDoc)

• Ban on using public funds for adult gender transitions advanced by Oklahoma House (Oklahoma Voice)

• The Tulsa Public Schools $609M bond is a go. Here’s what comes next. (Tulsa Flyer)

• Norman voters approve homeless shelter, other propositions (StateImpact Oklahoma)

• Ravia Public Schools to close, consolidate with Mill Creek (KXII)

• Gilcrease Museum, partners celebrate groundbreaking on hiking and mountain biking trails (Tulsa World)*

Oklahoma City’s Fraternal Order of Police president says law enforcement is facing a tougher reality in 2026, with fewer recruits, higher early-career attrition and growing public scrutiny shaping the profession.

In a candid conversation on the Oklahoma Memo podcast, Mark Nelson said many young officers are entering the field with hesitation — and leaving sooner — as split-second decisions face intense second-guessing and legal risk.

He said policing today requires a mix of decision-making, integrity and communication skills more than physical strength, while also balancing community relationships with high-risk situations.

Nelson also addressed public concerns about accountability and use of force, saying departments must continue improving training while recognizing the difficulty of real-time decisions.

👉 Watch the full conversation on YouTube

A daily briefing connecting Oklahomans to the state’s best journalism — and original content from Oklahoma Memo. Got a news tip? Somebody I need to interview? Message me at [email protected].

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