Tenkiller boating collision leaves two in critical condition
A boating collision that occurred just before 7 p.m. on June 24 on Tenkiller Lake has left two individuals in critical condition. The incident occurred in the Pettit Bay area, located about seven miles south of Tahlequah.
A boating collision that occurred just before 7 p.m. on June 24 on Tenkiller Lake has left two individuals in critical condition. The incident occurred in the Pettit Bay area, located about seven miles south of Tahlequah.
The collision reportedly involved two vessels, a 2023 Montara Surf Boss Tritoon, driven by Preston Holmes, 19, of Muskogee, and a 1994 Bayliner ski boat, driven by Tony Fallen, 54, of Tahlequah.
Holmes escaped the collision unharmed, but Fallen and his passenger, Shelly Fallen, 54, also from Tahlequah, sustained severe injuries. Tony Fallen was transported by Air Evac to St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa, where he was admitted in critical condition with head and trunk internal injuries. Shelly Fallen was transported by First Flight to the same hospital, also admitted in critical condition with head and trunk internal injuries.
The exact details of the incident are currently under investigation, according to the accident report. The condition of Holmes and the factors that may have contributed to the collision are still being examined.
The use of personal flotation devices was present on both vessels, but were not in use at the time of the collision.
Trooper Cody Cross #562 of the Marine Enforcement Division of Troop W is leading the investigation into the incident. Assisting him were Trooper Joseph Couch #448 of the Marine Enforcement Division of Troop W, Trooper Colton Croft #309, and Trooper Anthony Dotson #838 of the Cherokee County Detachment of Troop C. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and Keys Fire Department also responded to the collision.
