In Loving Memory of Payton and Jason Kaminskas A Tragic Loss on Interstate 35 in Logan County
The Enid community is mourning an unimaginable and heartbreaking loss after two residents, 23-year-old Payton Kaminskas and 40-year-old Jason Kaminskas, were struck and killed early Saturday morning on Interstate 35 in Logan County. What began as a routine response to a vehicle collision with a deer became a devastating chain of events that ended the lives of two people deeply loved by family, friends, and their hometown community.
The incident occurred around 1:55 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-35 near mile marker 165, according to updated information from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Earlier reports from Guthrie News Page indicated a serious crash, but authorities have since provided clearer details about the sequence of events that unfolded in the early morning darkness.
Troopers say the initial vehicle carrying Payton and Jason struck a deer, causing significant damage and leaving the vehicle disabled in the roadway. Acting as any responsible driver and passenger would, they exited the vehicle to assess the situation and check the damage. Tragically, their efforts to ensure safety placed them in harm’s way.
Shortly afterward, a commercial motor vehicle driven by a 34-year-old man from El Reno approached the scene. In the darkness and with the disabled car blocking the lane, the truck struck both the vehicle and the two pedestrians. The force and suddenness of the impact left no time for Payton or Jason to escape. Moments later, a third vehicle, driven by a 49-year-old male, also collided with the initial disabled vehicle. The aftermath was catastrophic.
Guthrie Fire and emergency responders arrived swiftly, but Payton and Jason were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver from El Reno was uninjured. The driver of the third vehicle suffered injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Due to the severity of the collision and the expansiveness of the investigation, northbound I-35 remained closed for several hours, with traffic rerouted onto State Highway 33. It was not until 11:15 a.m. that the interstate fully reopened, long after crews had worked tirelessly to document the crash, clear the debris, and ensure the roadway was safe for travel.
Yet even after the highway reopened, the emotional shockwaves of this tragedy continued to spread. Two lives were ended suddenly, without warning, and their absence is now felt deeply by those who loved them.
Payton Kaminskas is remembered as a young adult with a full future ahead of him—someone who brought energy, kindness, and promise into the world. At just 23, he had dreams he was working toward, relationships he cherished, and a life that should have continued for decades more.
Jason Kaminskas, 40, is remembered as a man grounded in family and dedication, someone who provided support, guidance, and steadfast love to those around him. His presence in the lives of loved ones was meaningful, reliable, and irreplaceable.
The loss of two family members in the same tragic moment is an unimaginable burden for their loved ones to bear. Friends, coworkers, and community members in Enid are now rallying to support those who must navigate the grief of losing both Payton and Jason—two lives intertwined in both family and fate.
This tragedy is also a sobering reminder of the dangers that can unfold on dark roadways, even in routine situations. It underscores the importance of caution, visibility, and awareness, while also acknowledging that sometimes, despite doing everything right, tragedy can still strike without mercy.
In loving memory of Payton and Jason Kaminskas, may their lives be honored by the stories shared, the memories preserved, and the love that endures long after this heartbreaking moment. May their family find strength, may their community find unity, and may the legacy of both men be remembered not for the tragedy of their passing, but for the lives they lived.
Rest in peace, Payton and Jason. You left this world far too soon, but you will never be forgotten.
