Fatal Oklahoma Trucking Accident
Posted on Thursday, July 21st, 2011 at 12:32 pm
One person was killed in an Oklahoma trucking accident Wednesday morning.
According to officials with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the accident occurred shortly after 7:00 a.m. on U.S. Highway 169 in Nowata County. Trooper Eric Pitner of the Washington County detachment said the accident happened when an APAC Construction Company flagman stopped southbound U.S. 169 traffic. The road is being resurfaced and traffic is down to one lane.
Two vehicles stopped for the flagman, but a third could not, according to Pitner.
“The third vehicle was pretty much running at full speed and tried to stop at the last minute and locked his brakes for a distance and rear-ended the over vehicle and caught fire,” Pitner said.
The tractor-tailer that collided with the front two vehicles was driven by 57 year-old Arthur Vann Jr., of Duquoin. He was killed in the resulting fire which, Pitner said, was likely caused by a ruptured fuel tank.
None of the other drivers were injured in the crash.
The accident remains under investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and friends during this difficult time.
