Three separate crashes investigated by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol during the past week left one person dead and two others injured in Coal, Johnston and Pontotoc counties.
The fatal crash occurred Tuesday, July 21, in Coal County, where a Coalgate man drowned after his utility vehicle overturned in a pond.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, 63-year-old Tony K. Gibby of Coalgate was driving south across a pond dam at approximately 2:00 p.m. near 16652 County Road 3820 when his vehicle crossed an uneven, washed-out section of the dam. Troopers said the vehicle rolled approximately 1¾ times before landing on the driver.
Gibby became pinned beneath the vehicle in the water and appeared to have drowned, according to the patrol. He was pronounced dead following the crash. Troopers reported that he was not wearing a seat belt. The collision remains under investigation by Trooper Trent Mixon of Troop E.
In Johnston County, a 49-year-old Sulphur resident was injured in a single-vehicle crash Saturday morning, July 25.
Crashes
According to the OHP, the driver was traveling eastbound on Stinson Road approximately 0.22 miles east of Brenda Brown Road at about 7:32 a.m. when the vehicle lost control, left the roadway and struck a tree.
The driver’s name has not been released pending notification of next of kin. Troopers reported the driver suffered injuries but survived the crash. The individual was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. Trooper Brian Bagwell of Troop F is investigating.
Another injury collision occurred Friday, July 24, in the Town of Roff, where a commercial vehicle was struck by a train at a railroad crossing.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that 59-year-old Michael F. Jenkins of Bastrop, LA, was driving eastbound on Pontotoc Avenue at approximately 12:37 p.m. when he approached a railroad crossing west of 13th Street. Investigators said the vehicle failed to stop at the crossing and was struck by a northbound train.
Jenkins was injured in the collision but survived. He was wearing a seat belt, according to the OHP. No passengers were in the vehicle.
All three crashes remain under investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Authorities noted that the information released is preliminary and subject to change as the investigations continue.
