Webbers Falls teen perishes following Labor Day accident

An accident that happened on Labor Day on a rural road near Porum has claimed the life of a Webbers Falls teen.

According to the preliminary accident report, the incident took place around 11:20 a.m. on 253rd St and 135th St. South, about six miles east of Porum when a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe crested a hill and collided with a fallen tree.

The Tahoe, driven by Hayden Pearce, 19, of Webbers Falls, was traveling eastbound on 253rd St. when the tree was struck, causing the vehicle to veer off the road to the right, where it struck another tree.

Pearce was admitted to St. John Hospital in Tulsa in stable condition with injuries to his head, internal organs, arms and legs. An updated collision report stated Pearce died on Sept. 5 due to massive injuries he sustained in the crash.

Pearce’s two passengers, Jordan Cole, 21, of Porum, was fortunate to escape the collision without any injuries, along with a juvenile passenger, who also emerged from the accident unharmed.

The incident was investigated by Trooper Woolsey #981 of the Wagoner/ Muskogee County Detachment of Troop C, with assistance from Trooper Jamie Ritze #800 of the same detachment.

Trooper Woolsey reported none of the occupants in the vehicle had their seatbelts fastened at the time of the collision, and the primary cause of the accident was due to debris in the roadway.

Local authorities, including the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office, Muskogee EMS and the Porum Fire Department, also responded to the scene.