Late trooper’s father urges motorists to follow texting ban

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The father of an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper killed while working an accident on the interstate is urging motorists to obey a new law that makes it illegal to read or compose texts while driving.

Bruce Dees joined with troopers, medical personnel and lawmakers Wednesday outside the emergency room at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center to bring attention to the law that goes into effect on Sunday.

The new law is named in honor of Dees’ son, Nicholas Dees, and Trooper Keith Burch. Dees was killed and Burch seriously injured when a man accused of texting while driving crashed into them in January while they were investigating an accident on Interstate 40.

Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $100.