Investigation points to speed as cause of collision
A collision that happened Thursday morning on US-59 about nine miles north of Sallisaw has reportedly left one driver in critical condition.
A collision that happened Thursday morning on US-59 about nine miles north of Sallisaw has reportedly left one driver in critical condition.
The collision occurred when a vehicle veered across the center line, colliding with a trailer towed by another vehicle. The driver, who was identified only as a white male, was operating a 2007 Ford Edge when the vehicle overturned, coming to a rest on its wheels facing northbound. The force of the collision ejected the driver from the vehicle, sending him flying 22 feet away from the wreckage.
Emergency services, including the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, Pafford EMS, and the Brushy Fire Department, responded to the scene. The unidentified injured driver was transported by Mercy Life Flight to Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Ark.. Reports indicate he sustained both internal and external injuries, with his condition listed as critical.
William Choate, 37, of Marble City, emerged unscathed from the collision. Choate was operating a 2022 Ram 3500 Pickup and managed to bring his vehicle to a controlled stop after the impact.
Preliminary investigations conducted by Trooper Steven Crooks #244 of the Sequoyah County Detachment of Troop C point to speed as the primary cause of the crash. The driver of the Ford Edge has yet to be identified as of press time.
