A rare right-hand-drive Mazda MX-5 Miata was cruising through Tulsa just after midnight when another driver allegedly decided to make it his problem.
According to the Tulsa Police Department, the incident happened around 12:25 a.m. on June 5 near Interstate 44 and 129th East Avenue. Police said the driver of a white Chevrolet Silverado began tailgating the imported Mazda before following it off the highway.
The Miata driver reportedly became concerned enough to call 911 after realizing the truck continued following him through surface streets. Investigators say the situation escalated while he was still on the phone with dispatch.
Police said the Silverado eventually rear-ended the Miata, sending the lightweight roadster into a spin. Moments later, the truck driver lost control, jumped a curb, and slammed into a concrete support pillar beneath the I-44 overpass.
The Internet Had One Question: Is the Miata Okay?
While the crash itself drew attention, many commenters focused on the victim’s car.
The Mazda involved wasn’t just any Miata. It was a right-hand-drive Japanese-market example, the kind of imported roadster that stands out immediately to enthusiasts. Tulsa Police even highlighted the unusual steering wheel placement in their post.
Several local commenters recognized the car, while others joked that their biggest concern wasn’t the Silverado driver but the Miata’s condition. Photos released by police show damage concentrated around the rear of the Mazda, including the bumper, taillight area, and trunk. The driver declined medical treatment at the scene.
The Silverado Driver Ended Up in Worse Shape
According to police, the alleged aggressor did not fare nearly as well.
After striking the Miata, investigators say the Silverado lost control and crashed head-on into one of the massive concrete support pillars beneath the interstate. The impact caused extensive front-end damage and left the driver trapped inside the truck.
Tulsa Fire Department crews were called to extricate him from the wreckage before paramedics transported him to a hospital with significant injuries.
The contrast wasn’t lost on commenters. A number pointed out the irony that the small imported roadster remained largely intact while the full-size pickup absorbed catastrophic damage after hitting the bridge support.
A Story That Resonated With Miata Owners
Beyond the obvious road-rage angle, the story struck a nerve with many enthusiasts.
Multiple commenters shared stories of being tailgated, harassed, or intimidated while driving Miatas and other small sports cars. Whether fair or not, many said they immediately related to the idea of a lightweight roadster being targeted by an aggressive truck driver.
Others simply lamented seeing a rare imported Mazda damaged for no apparent reason.
Tulsa Police said the department’s Advanced Traffic Investigators have taken over the case and will continue reviewing the crash.
For now, one thing seems clear. The Silverado may have been the larger vehicle, but judging by the reaction online, the Miata was the car everyone cared about.