A major security alert is underway in Oklahoma after a handcuffed inmate executed a daring daylight escape from a moving prison transport van, fleeing onto a busy highway in a scene of sheer chaos.
The dramatic incident, which was captured on video by a passing motorist, shows the moment the prisoner smashes a window of the van with his hands still cuffed before clambering out onto the road. The escape occurred on the Turner Turnpike, a major thoroughfare, sending shockwaves through the local law enforcement community.
A Desperate Bid for Freedom
According to preliminary reports from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, the inmate was being transported between facilities when he managed to break the reinforced window of the van. Despite being restrained, his desperate bid for freedom was successful as he forced his way out of the moving vehicle and onto the asphalt.
Footage of the escape shows the van pulling over onto the shoulder as the inmate, now free from the vehicle, sprints across multiple lanes of traffic. The audacious escape risked not only his own life but also that of countless motorists on the highway at the time.
Massive Manhunt Underway
Authorities have launched a massive manhunt to locate and apprehend the fugitive. Roadblocks were established, and K-9 units were deployed to track the individual, who was last seen fleeing into a wooded area adjacent to the highway.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, along with local county sheriffs and police departments, are scouring the area. Residents in the vicinity have been urged to remain vigilant, lock their doors, and report any suspicious activity immediately to 911.
Serious Questions Over Transport Protocols
This brazen escape has ignited serious concerns regarding the safety and security protocols for prisoner transport in the state. Questions are being asked about how an inmate, already in handcuffs, was able to break a window and escape without immediate intervention from the officers inside the van.
An internal investigation has been launched by the Department of Corrections to review the incident. A spokesperson stated, "The safety of the public and our staff is our top priority. We are thoroughly reviewing all circumstances surrounding this incident to prevent anything like it from happening again."
The identity of the escaped inmate has not yet been released to the public as the search continues.
