Wrong-way driver kills Edmond man in I-40 crash near Seminole

An Edmond man is dead following a crash on Interstate 40 near Seminole. Truck driver Earnest Harrell was on his weekly route to Hugo when the crash happened around 2 a.m. on Feb. 6.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, initial findings in the investigation show 19-year-old Jase Wilson of Shawnee was traveling the wrong way when he struck a semi-truck, driven by 63-year-old Suhaib Hassan of Harris, TX. Harrell then slammed into the semi and died at the scene. Hassan suffered critical injuries.

“It was a huge shock when I got the call,” said Harrell’s sister Rhonda Peterson. “He was larger than life and he was a family guy, he was fun to be around.”

Harrell’s family and friends called him Ernie or Big Earn because of his big personality. DJ Peterson remembers watching his brother-in-law wrestle locally.

“He was a big guy, so he wasn't able to do as much as some of those guys on TV as far as the wrestling skills, but what he lacked in that he absolutely made up for in entertainment value; he was amazing,” DJ said. “Anyone who is a wrestling fan could see that he was amazing at his craft.”

His brother-in-law says his persona in the ring matched his true personality.

“Very loud, very boisterous. You knew when he entered a room,” DJ said. “I miss just having Ernie around; he was just a fun guy to have around.”

His sister says he also had a big heart and didn’t hesitate to say what she would miss most about him.

“Him being around,” she said. “He would help anybody that was in need.”

“He wanted to help everyone, you know, the world was just a little bit better when Ernie was around.”

Ernie's family has a GoFundMe account set up. If you would like to help with the memorial expenses, click here: Fundraiser by Rhonda Harrell Peterson : Help Us Honor Ernie's Memory.

OHP says Wilson was arrested on manslaughter complaints through the Seminole Nation and more charges are expected. The crash remains under investigation.