Automobile accident kills Stilwell man

A two-vehicle accident occurring around about 6:59 p.m. Sunday in Cherokee County claimed the life of a 35-year-old Stilwell man and another victim remains in guarded condition at St. Johns Hospital in Tulsa.

According to a report released by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, troopers from Sequoyah, Adair, Cherokee and other surrounding counties assisted with the accident which occurred on Oklahoma Highway 100 at County Road 585, approximately 10 miles southeast of Tahlequah.

Vehicles involved included a 2020 Dodge Journey driven by Deeandra Sam, 35, of Stilwell, who was transported to St. John’s by First Flight with head, trunk internal and external, arm and leg injuries. She remains in guarded condition according to the report.

Her passenger, Kyle Sam, 34, of Stilwell was pronounced deceased on the scene by Cherokee Nation EMS. A second passenger, a juvenile male, 17, of Stilwell was admitted in fair condition with trunk, internal and hand injuries.

The second vehicle involved was a 2022 Dodge Ram driven by Michael Buckner, 58, of Stilwell who was not transported or injured, according to the report.

His passenger, Joyce Buckner, 56, of Stilwell was transported to St. John’s by Cherokee Nation EMS and was admitted in fair condition with trunk internal injuries.

The cause of the accident is under investigation according to Trooper Backward #797 of the Cherokee/ Adair Detachment of Troop C. Assisting with the accident were Trooper Williams #853 of Cherokee/ Adair County Detachment of Troop C, Trooper Ritze #800 of the Wagoner County Detachment of Troop C, Trooper Alvarez #210 of the Sequoyah County Detachment of Troop C, Probationary Trooper Woolsey #981 of the Muskogee County Detachment of Troop C, Trooper Green #733 of the Traffic Homicide Unit, and LT Wyatt #114 of Troop C.

Also assisting were the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee Nation Marshalls, Keys Fire Department, Cookson Fire Department, Cherokee Nation EMS, Adair County EMS and First Flight.