UPDATE: A dramatic escape attempt unfolded on October 15, 2023, as an inmate dangled from the back of a moving prison van on Interstate 40 in Oklahoma City. Eyewitnesses captured the shocking moment when the shirtless prisoner, clad only in an orange jumpsuit, hung out of the shattered rear window, pleading for help as stunned motorists looked on.
The chaotic scene occurred during rush hour, with oncoming traffic whizzing by as the inmate waved frantically at passing vehicles. Witness Tiggin Martin, who filmed the heart-stopping incident, initially thought it was a prank. “When we saw him, we were all like, oh my God,” she recounted. The nail-biting footage, shared on TikTok and later by NBC, shows the inmate desperately tugging at the back door of the Department of Corrections van.
Martin and her sister Alexis, who was driving, expressed concern that the man might leap into traffic. “Don’t you f..kn’ do it, bro,” one voice in the video pleaded, highlighting the anxiety of the moment. The harrowing ordeal lasted for about two minutes before the van was able to pull to the shoulder of the highway.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, the van was engaged in a “routine transport” when the inmate smashed out the window for what officials described as some “unauthorized fresh air.” The department stated:
“Our officers immediately recognised the situation, exited the highway and called for additional law enforcement support. The inmate was safely secured and transported without further incident.”
The identity of the inmate remains undisclosed, and it is currently unclear if an investigation is underway. The agency emphasized its commitment to transparency and the safety of individuals in its care, as well as the safety of all Oklahomans.
This incident comes on the heels of another shocking event in Denham Springs, Louisiana, where a utility worker was struck by a turning 18-wheeler while suspended in a bucket lift. That incident, which occurred back in June, is now circulating widely on social media, reigniting calls for enhanced safety measures for roadside crews.
As the story develops, authorities continue to monitor the situation, and more details are expected to emerge. For now, the dramatic image of an inmate hanging from a prison van will remain etched in the minds of those who witnessed it, serving as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of life behind bars.
