Distracted box truck driver kills 59-year-old man mowing his lawn, Oklahoma cops say

A 59-year-old man was killed Saturday in a “freak accident” while he was mowing his front lawn, according to Oklahoma police.

The incident occurred in Midwest City, which is an Oklahoma City suburb.

James R. Johnson died at the scene after he was struck by a distracted box truck driver, KFOR reported. He had just started his lawn mower and was cutting a strip of grass near his driveway, according to the TV station.

The 28-year-old driver of the box truck left the roadway and struck a mailbox, the Oklahoman reported. The truck continued driving through the front yard, striking Johnson before hitting a neighbor’s home, according to The Oklahoman.

Johnson was found pinned underneath the box truck, KOCO reported.

“You would never expect anything like this to happen on a quiet residential street. It was just a freak accident but sadly took the life of a man who was just mowing his lawn,” Midwest City Police Chief Brandon Clabes said, according to KOCO.

Surveillance footage from a nearby home captured the incident, according to The Oklahoman.

The driver had a blood test at an area hospital and was released, KFOR reported. Investigators and the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office will discuss possible charges, according to KOCO.

The name of the box truck driver has not been released by authorities.

This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 3:48 PM with the headline "Distracted box truck driver kills 59-year-old man mowing his lawn, Oklahoma cops say."