The Catoosa community is mourning the tragic loss of 24-year-old Russell Troy Lathrup II, who lost his life in a motorcycle crash Thursday night at a local intersection.
According to the Catoosa Police Department, Lathrup was traveling northbound on 193rd East Avenue at an estimated speed exceeding 100 mph when he entered the intersection against a red light and collided with an SUV traveling eastbound on a green light.
Investigators say the motorcycle appeared to have laid down just before impact. An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper arrived shortly after the crash and performed resuscitation efforts at the scene. Despite those efforts, Lathrup was pronounced dead at 10:29 p.m.
Additional information from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol indicates Lathrup had been traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 412 at speeds exceeding 120 mph prior to the crash. Troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, during which he initially slowed and signaled near the exit ramp at 193rd East Avenue before accelerating away. Officials say the trooper ended the pursuit before the crash occurred, which followed seconds later at the intersection.
Authorities confirmed Lathrup was operating an unregistered 1988 Honda Hurricane motorcycle with no license plate displayed. He was wearing a helmet and protective gear at the time of the crash.
The driver of the SUV suffered non-life-threatening injuries related to airbag deployment and was taken to a Tulsa-area hospital for precautionary treatment.
As the investigation continues, family, friends, and the Catoosa community are left mourning a sudden and tragic loss, trying to process how quickly the incident unfolded and the life that was cut short.
